• Continue to retrofit older fluorescent lighting, pole lighting and exit fixtures to newer energy efficient technology such as LED lighting, high efficient fluorescent lights, etc.;
• Utilize 28 watt light tubes in lieu of 32 watt light tubes in the existing T-8 light fixtures;
• Continue to remind staff, custodians & students to turn off the lights in areas that are not occupied;
• Utilize motion sensors for the control of the light fixtures in all areas that would not impact the use of the space such as, restrooms, storage rooms, equipment rooms, etc.;
• Purchase only Energy Star rated products in all areas that they are available;
• Attempt to secure the funding to upgrade and replace the original mechanical equipment, lighting and other systems at Bradford Woods Elementary School,  Marshall Elementary School and Marshall Middle School and the fluorescent lighting at North Allegheny Intermediate High School;
• Secured the funding to retain a consultant to perform an Energy Audit of all of the District buildings to identify the potential energy conservation measures that should be considered; and
• Investigate the potential to utilize Act 129 funding to help support the costs to perform energy efficiency improvements.

We have requested that the food service contractor, Metz & Associates, continue to utilize locally grown products, fruit, etc. as part of the cafeteria operations.  They are currently attempting to utilize locally grown and raised in-season materials wherever possible.  We are also working with the Department of Assets, Transportation and Technology along with the Food Service contractor, Metz & Associates to research the cost for the potential replacement of the disposable Styrofoam plates with reusable trays for the elementary schools.  This has resulted in the installation of a dishwasher at McKnight Elementary School to allow us to eleiminnate teh use of Strofoam trays and disposable utensils at this school.  We have also requested that Metz & Assoociates investigate the potential costs associated with changing from the current cardboard milk containers to a recyclable plastic milk container for use throughout the District.  These two initiatives will involve some additional analyses and a future determination with regards to changes in the costs of the lunch program that may be required to support these initiatives.

First and foremost we want to continue to remind all staff and students on a regular basis of the District's ongoing recycling program.  This program currently includes the commingled collection of paper, cardboard, plastics and glass which is currently handled by our waste management contractor, Waste Management Inc.   We also want to ensure that there is an adequate number of recycling containers in each school.  Recycling containers have been distributed throughout the District previously but we have been made aware of some areas where additional recycling containers could be placed to improve the collection of recycled materials.  Finally, we have implemented a program to collect and recycle all printer cartridges and batteries. 

• Utilize the new District's Web Site to increase electronic communications with the parents;
• Provide the parents with the opportunity to receive correspondence and other information from the school District electronically.  Currently, Mrs. Joy Ed, the Director of the Communications and Public Relations Department, is working on setting up a process and procedure for implementation in the 2010/2011 school year which will allow elementary school parents to receive normal Thursday envelope information via electronic means.  The developments of the process and procedures for this progam are taking place with the elementary school principals and the Communications and Public Relations Department and it is anticipated that this program will be implemented in the fall of 2010;
• Eliminate the use of colored paper for forms and other materials where possible.  The Business Office is currently reviewing the opportunities to reduce color paper usage by limiting the requirements for color paper on certain forms;
• Utilize two sided copying for all materials where possible.  This program is being implemented currently by the Xerox Copy Center and we will be working with the Building Administration and the staff at all of the District's facilities to attempt to increase the use of two-sided copying in all building where possible;
• Continue the investigation of implementing a program to have paperless School Board meetings.  Currently the Director of Assets, Transportation and Technology is working to review the costs associated with the implementation of this program for further consideration;
• Closely monitor the paper usage of the staff to ensure that they are only using paper for required information.  This will be communicated to the Building Administrators as part of the ongoing discussions with regards to the reduction of paper usage at the building level;
• Utilize the proposed new Financial Software system to reduce or eliminate the use of paper purchase orders, pay checks, invoicing, etc.  Currently, the final selection of the software system has not been completed but the vendors that have been considered all offer some capabilities of utilizing increased electronic means for the processing of various financial and student information; and
• Reserach the cost and feasibilty of implementing an electronic record storage system.  This work will involve analsysis and input from the Information and Technology Department on what the best means to perform this type of electronic record storage would be.  A greater analyses by the Information and Technology Department will be required before a recommendation can be provided with regards to the feasibility, viabiltiy and cost implications of this type of program.