Kentucky School Advocate
May 2016
Green scene, part 1
KSBA’s School Energy Managers Project has captured the national ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award for a third year in a row. The six-year-old program helps school districts with their energy management plans, analysis of technical issues and evaluation of energy technologies. It is also a resource and training source for local school energy managers.
“KSBA-SEMP aids schools in a unique way – providing energy management support, which is not your typical school board association service,” said KSBA Executive Director Mike Armstrong.
SEMP Director Ron Willhite said the program has excelled because it is a true partnership with participating districts.
“This year is especially significant as being recognized with the Sustained Excellence award,” he said. “The ENERGY STAR certification provides positive recognition of responsible energy and fiscal management practices by school districts.”
Three Kentucky districts – Bullitt, Kenton and Scott – also were designated as ENERGY STAR Partners of the Year for 2016. They are among the Kentucky school districts with the longest-established energy efficiency programs.
Kentucky currently has 326 ENERGY STAR schools and efficiency work has resulted in accumulated avoided costs of more than $68 million.
Green scene, part 2
Fayette County Schools is one of 11 2016 Best of Green School award winners. The national honors are sponsored by the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Buildings Council in collaboration with the Green Schools National Network.
The awards recognize individuals, institutions, projects and events representing the best environmental efforts in U.S. schools and highlight the national leaders and innovators in school sustainability. The Fayette County school district was cited for embracing “the three-pillar model of sustainability to holistically address environmental literacy, building performance and student wellness, and leverages their students’ passion and leadership in all three areas.”
Watch out
Owensboro Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Nick Brake has been named a 2015-16 Superintendent to Watch. The program is sponsored by the National School Public Relations Association and SchoolMessenger. It recognizes superintendents with less than five years’ experience as a superintendent who use communication technology in innovative and effective ways. Twenty-four school district leaders were honored nationally for 2015-16.
Brake has been the Owensboro district’s superintendent since 2013. He also has held positions in Daviess County Schools and at Owensboro Community and Technical College. He also spent seven years as president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp.