Climate Change Action Plan - Implementation Mid-Year Report, January 2024

Board of Education Members

• Judy Mickens-Murray, Chair
• Lolita E. Walker, District 9, Vice Chair
• David Murray, District 1
• Jonathan Briggs, District 2
• Pamela Boozer-Strother, District 3
• Shayla Adams-Stafford, District 4
• Zipporah Miller, Ed.D., District 5
• Branndon D. Jackson, District 6
• Kenneth F. Harris II, Eng.D., District 7
• Madeline LaSalle Frazier, LCSW, Ed.S., District 8
• Walter E. Fields, Appointed
• Juanita D. Miller, Ed.D., Appointed
• Curtis Valentine, M.P.P., Appointed
• Alvaro Ceron-Ruiz, Student Board Member
• Millard House II, Superintendent

Climate Change Action Plan Operational Committee Members

• Jamee Alston, Management Analyst, Division of Supporting Services, Department of Building Services
• Kristi Baldwin, Chief of Human Resources
• Donald Belle, Environmental Outreach Educator, Department of Environmental Education, William S. Schmidt Center
• Quincy Boyd, Chief of Staff
• Jean-Paul Cadet, Director, Career and Technical Education
• Jeffery Carpenter, Director, Employee and Labor Relations
• Charoscar Coleman, Chief Operating Officer
• Sylvester Conyers, Instructional Supervisor, William S. Schmidt Center
• Vincent Curl, Safety Office Manager
• Garth Deitzer, Maintenance Planner, Department of Building Services
• Mark Dreszer, Supervisor of Garage Operations, Transportation/ Central Garage Department
• Sara Gillespie, Recycling Technician, Department of Building Services, Plant Operations
• Michael Herbstman, Chief Financial Officer (former)
• David Hill, Transportation Operations Supervisor, Transportation Department
• Dawn Holton, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Department of Capital Programs
• Millard House II, Superintendent
• Sheila Jackson, Director, Family and School Partnerships
• DeNerika Johnson, Acting Director, Department of Purchasing and Supply Accountability
• Shawn Matlock, Director, Department of Capital Programs
• Lynn McCawley, Senior Public Information Specialist, Office of Communications
• George McClure, Supervisor of Athletics
• John McDaniels, Program Coordinator, Department of Career and Technical Education / JROTC, Public Safety and Homeland Security
• Max Pugh, Web Services Supervisor, Office of Communications
• David Rease, Director, Office of Equity and Excellence
• Keba Baldwin, Director of Transportation
• Mastan Shaik, Data Warehouse Supervisor, Division of Information Technology
• Joan Shorter, Director, Food and Nutrition Services
• Ronald Skyles, Architectural Project Manager, Department of Capital Programs
• William Smith, Project Management Supervisor, Department of Capital Programs
• Sam Stefanelli, Director, Building Services
• Jason Walker, Energy Management/Building Automation Technician, Department of Building Services
• Jason Washington, Associate Superintendent, Supporting Service
• Amber Wilson, Executive Assistant, Office of the Chief Executive Officer
• Melissa Wilson, Supervisor, School Leadership Programs, Office of Professional Learning and Leadership
• Andrew Zuckerman, Chief of Information Technology

Table of Contents

A.  Introduction
B.  Background Summary
C.  CCAP Task Force Recommendations and Action Plan
Priority 1: Support Environmental Justice Through Climate Curriculum, Training and Partnerships
Priority 2: Reduce Carbon Footprint from PGCPS Buildings
Priority 3: Commit to Renewable Energy Sources for a Net Zero Emissions Future Priority 4: Commit to Low Carbon School Transportation
Priority 4: Commit to Low Carbon School Transportation
Priority 5: Reduce Food Waste and Grow Climate-Friendly Food
Priority 6: Commit to Sustainable Materials Management and Procurement Priority 7: Commit to Climate Resilient Land Management
Priority 7: Commit to Climate Resilient Land Management
Priority 8: Lead by Example to Support Transformational Change

Introduction

On March 1, 2021, the Prince George’s County Board of Education established the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) Focus Work Group to develop a plan for creating and meeting climate action goals. Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) will work to meet UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emission reduction targets by 2030 or 2040, depending on the target.

To begin implementing the 58 Climate Change Action Plan items, the Chief Executive Officer created a Climate Change Action Plan Operational Committee, composed of 38 PGCPS staff members who meet monthly to review each action item, share progress for each priority area and discuss plans to continue moving the work forward. Additionally, eight priority area implementation workgroups with technical expertise have been established and meet as often as required to execute tangible project tasks, which are reported on during the larger monthly Operational Committee meetings.

Background Summary

On March 1, 2021, the Prince George’s County Board of Education established the Climate Change Action Plan (CCAP) Focus Work Group to develop a plan for creating and meeting climate action goals. Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) will work to meet UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emission reduction targets by 2030 or 2040, depending on the target.

To begin implementing the 58 Climate Change Action Plan items, the Chief Executive Officer created a Climate Change Action Plan Operational Committee, composed of 38 PGCPS staff members who meet monthly to review each action item, share progress for each priority area and discuss plans to continue moving the work forward. Additionally, eight priority area implementation workgroups with technical expertise have been established and meet as often as required to execute tangible project tasks, which are reported on during the larger monthly Operational Committee meetings.

Priority Recommendation 1: Support Environmental Justice Through Climate Curriculum. Training and Partnerships

• Gathered stakeholder feedback on the essential elements of PGCPS Environmental A draft of the principles being developed.
• Conducted a professional learning experience for teachers during the summer that was covered in a local Link HERE.
• Created a new program to increase opportunities for student field experience related to climate and stormwater Photos from one of four field experiences that took place this fall can be found HERE.
• Partnered with the Maryland Climate Commission (Education Communication and Outreach subcommittee) during climate education
• Identified dates for the next Student Environmental Alliance Summit and started developing a new leadership
• Created a new dashboard through Energy Cap to track and display monthly utility .
• The Auto program is in contact with The Switch Lab regarding purchasing an electric
• Started a curriculum audit and drafted environmental principles through the Office of Equity, Diversity & Belonging.

Priority Recommendation 2: Reduce Carbon Footprint from PGCPS Buildings

• Continued work with EnergyCap to comply with Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) FY22 Energy Data Reporting FY22 Data is due to be completed in December 2023 provided that PGCPS Purchase Orders (PO) are completed.
• An Eleanor Roosevelt High School student has a senior project with the University of Maryland to conduct an energy audit for PGCPS-Eleanor Roosevelt HS.
• Engaged in conversations with EssexCo and received a proposal for a comprehensive Energy Audit.

Priority Recommendation 3: Commit to Renewable Energy Sources for a Net Zero Emissions Future

• Completed utility interconnection applications for six new P-3
• Partnered with Prince George’s County Government and Washington Gas on a ground solar array project that has the ability to incorporate several PGCPS facilities and offset electricity costs.
• Planned purchase of Aris off-grid wind/solar/battery powered SMART
• Developed a CCAP dashboard to provide public access to on-going

Priority Recommendation 4: Commit to Low Carbon School Transportation

• Strategic Charging Infrastructure: The procurement of mobile electric charging stations marks a strategic move, initially planned for centralized placement but now exploring multiple locations to maximize accessibility. This dynamic approach ensures efficient charging and availability across diverse areas within the school transportation network.
• Electric School Buses (ESB) thorough ESB Evaluation: A comprehensive review of ESBs was conducted during a site visit at the BlueBird facility. This meticulous examination verified that all specifications were met, revealing robust safety measures integrated into the ESB design. This commitment to safety aligns with the school transportation department’s dedication to prioritizing student well-being. We are in the process of receiving 20 ESBs.
• Optimizing Routes for Regenerative Energy: Identifying routes conducive to maximizing ESB utilization, the focus shifts to the innovative concept of regenerative energy. By strategically placing ESBs in high-traffic, populated areas, the potential for frequent stops enhances energy regeneration. This paradigm shift in driving and routing underscores the importance of aligning infrastructure decisions with the unique capabilities of electric buses, fostering sustainability and efficiency in school transportation.

Priority Recommendation 5: Reduce Food Waste and Grow Climate-Friendly Food

• Building upon a successful partnership last school year, PGCPS Building Services, the William S Schmidt Center and the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment expanded the composting pilot program to include an additional 12 schools this fall. The City of Laurel continues in a third year to support three schools within its boundary in a successful composting program. Schools collect compostable materials, including food scraps and paper trays, which are taken to the Prince George’s County Organics Composting Facility. Composting Data for the schools is available HERE.
• Composting professional development for teachers and building supervisors were held this fall by the William S Schmidt Center and PGCPS Building Services.

Priority Recommendation 6: Commit to Sustainable Materials Management and Procurement

• A draft Sustainable Purchasing Policy was incorporated into the Purchasing Manual.
• Teacher Toolkit for America Recycles Day posted on the website and promoted to schools with actions to participate in recycling and reducing waste at school.
• Multiple students from Suitland HS (including the overall winner) placed in the “Rethink Recycle” sculpture contest sponsored by the Maryland Department of Environment. Maryland Department of the Environment ‘Rethink Recycling’ sculpture contest
• Building Services Implemented Phase 1 contracting waste removal to improve the Carbon footprint of the waste collection system

Priority Recommendation 7: Commit to Climate Resilient Land Management

• A database of all the stormwater management facilities in the county has been created with assistance from the This invaluable data helps us identify vulnerable areas and areas for infrastructure improvement that are in proximity to our schools locations. (Original document may be viewed HERE)
• Four schools have completed trips connected to the Climate and Stormwater Stewards Program. Additional schools have submitted field program applications to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and are awaiting spring trip dates.
• PGCPS has negotiated some storm water management projects with Corvius, which will streamline the stormwater management approval for our Public Private Partnership (P3) schools and our next three largest projects.

Priority Recommendation 8: Lead by Example to Support Transformational Change

• PGCPS Department of Capital Programs and Office of Alternative Infrastructure Planning and Development have moved forward with the Department of Purchasing and Supply Services to add CCAP requirements into future architectural and engineering procurements.
• The Blueprint Schools Phase II program is requiring the selected developer, Progressive Education Partners, to incorporate sustainable design and energy approaches to meet CCAP objectives across the full program.