Sustainability and environmental stewardship are important values to Austin and to the Austin Independent School District. For that reason, the 2004 and 2008 Bond Programs incorporates many projects and elements designed to conserve energy and water, achieve healthy indoor air quality and protect the environment.

In the 2004 Bond Program, Austin ISD has committed $8-$10 per square foot of construction costs specifically for environmental and energy-saving measures. To honor this commitment, Austin ISD is developing a culture of sustainability and directing its A/E firms to conform to the following implementation guidelines:

• All new school buildings and additions will be built to achieve a minimum two-star rating in Austin Energy’s Green Building Program. Required features include:
  • Building commissioning;
  • Storm water run-off and water quality control;
  • Roofing to reduce heat island effects;
  • Exceeding energy code by 15 percent;
  • 15 percent water-use reduction;
  • Use of low VOC paints;
  • Storage and collection of recyclables; and
  • Construction waste plan to recycle or salvage 50 percent of construction debris.
• Major renovations and retrofits will incorporate applicable, best-value elements of the Green Building Program, including
  • HVAC equipment (at least 15 percent more efficient);
  • Increased thermal insulation;
  • Automated temperature and lighting controls;
  • Energy-efficient lighting and daylighting;
  • Low-leakage windows and doors;
  • Low-water-use fixtures; and
  • High-performance roofing replacement strategies.
• Landscaping will incorporate native, low-water-use plants and trees for shading western-and southern-facing windows.

In addition, Austin ISD is implementing other sustainable measures and working hand-in-hand with Austin Energy to maximize existing efficiency rebates and incentives, modify Green Building Program policy for schools and develop customized strategies for energy efficiency. Other sustainable strategies in progress include:

• Low-emission bus purchases: 150 buses plus one plug-in hybrid in the 2004 Bond Program; the 2008 Bond Program includes approximately 116 low-emission buses and 14 plug-in hybrid buses (pending the results of the current viability study comparing the plug-in hybrid to a 2007 low-emission diesel bus);
• Green Choice Power commitments for 40 percent of District energy requirements;
• District education program through the State Energy Conservation Office;
• Development of board policy & formal sustainability commitment; and
• Installation of electrical capacitor banks.