Board of Ed. has plans to go ‘green’

The Evesham School District will be “going green,” and discussed the plan at the Aug. 23 Board of Education meeting. The initiatives will be in effect beginning with the school year.

Approval of the contract for an energy audit was passed, and, according to Dennis Nettleton, the school’s business administrator, the schools will be utilizing more than one method to make them green.

“We’re really excited about the energy audit. It will help the school become more energy efficient,” Nettleton said.

The program allows the school to obtain high-energy audits outlining where energy is expended. The report is of no cost to the school, according to Nettleton, and an indicator of where they need improvement.

“One of our biggest goals is the ‘greening’ of our school, and this is a step in the right direction,” said Nettleton.

The schools will participate in a composting program organized that will have pick ups by a local composting business out of Marlton.

“Take green beans,” said Nettleton. “Say they [the students] don’t like them. Instead of all those green beans being dumped in the trash, it will be put in compost bin and taken away as compost.”

Additionally, the board of education is getting involved in the movement by holding completely green meetings. The agenda is now put online for anyone to see. By using computers and iPads to conduct their meetings, the board also is able to eliminate the use of paper.

“Board meetings are now electronic and searchable. Everybody uses an iPad for meetings, it’s a positive experience,” said Nettleton. “We don’t want to just show the kids, but teach them.”

“We’re doing more with composting and recycling,” said Sandy Student, board of education president. “We changed out the lights, use bio-diesel fuel in the winter. We’re really proud of what we do.”

In other news, the student activity fees for after school were discussed and the cost to parents was waived by a majority vote.

According to Student, the school will see up to $195,000 in savings by reducing transportation by a third party and will use the money toward funding the after school programs.

“Majority ruled to use the savings toward our after-school programs,” said Student.

The way school board members will be sworn in has been altered, following the recent meeting.

“There was some question about the election. This is the first year the school board election is being held in November and we ultimately decided to allow anyone who is authorized in the state of N.J., a mayor, or governor, to be sworn in,” said Student.

The next board of education meeting will be held Sept. 27 at 25 South Maple Ave.