Arkansas Schools Going Green

First posted on 10-20-2008

Last week, the community of Greenbriar, Arkansas opened the third school in the state to be certified as friendly to the environment by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

The $10 million price tag for Wooster Elementary includes computerized plumbing to conserve water, low wattage lighting that works in conjunction with tinted outside facing windows plus carpets and playground equipment made from recycled materials.

The lighting system works by dimming the interior lights as sunlight brightens the room. Like most of the systems at Wooster, even the lighting is computerized.

School officials believe the upfront costs are well worth it because they project a savings to the district of at least 40 percent in electricity costs alone. And, there is the added benefit that students learn early about the environment and conservation efforts. Students are recycling everything they can - cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum, metals. The school sells the recyclables and puts the money toward the purchase of books.