Green Schools in MA
Submitted by Massachusetts Technology Collaborative
2006-12-07 13:01:22
Green schools growing in Massachusetts: new funding, recent dedications, certifications, and design contest winners
New funding
The MTC Board of Directors recently approved a new round of funding for the Green Schools Initiative. Working with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the Initiative will provide public benefits services and/or grants for renewable energy systems to school districts which are planning to build new schools or undertaking major renovations or additions to existing schools.
Public benefits services may include educational services, engineering support, and/or “green team” support services to the design team. Renewable energy system grants for solar electric (PV) or wind electric systems may be available to school projects completed after January 1, 2007 that have been certified as Massachusetts High Performance Green Schools and are located in an investor-owned electric utility service territory.
Dedications and certifications
Two green schools that were previously funded through the Green Schools Initiative, the Dedham Middle School and Woburn Memorial High School, recently held dedication ceremonies.
Another green school supported by the Trust, the William F. Stanley School in Waltham, recently became the first public school in Massachusetts to be certified with a silver LEED rating.
Design contest winners
In the recently announced results of the MSBA’s 2006 School Building Design Awards Contest, five of the 17 winners were green schools: the Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center (Somerville); Williamstown Elementary School; Whitman-Hanson High School; Ashland High School; and Holten-Richmond Middle School (Danvers). Holten-Richmond Middle School received its certification as a green school with help from the Trust, while the other four green schools received Trust design and construction grants.
More than 50 schools had entered into the contest:
http://www.massschoolbuildings.org/designprogram.htm
Learn more about the Green Schools Initiative >>
http://masstech.org/renewableenergy/green_schools.htm
Publications are available in PDF about exemplary green schools in Massachusetts:
http://www.masstech.org/renewableenergy/green_schools/gs_publications.html