001Appreciate your work on this. Um, when will the survey go What's your timeline for getting it out to students, the return rate, uh, return timeline, and then be able to have something to share back? Yeah, so Uh, I guess yeah, Audrey could have but we, uh, honestly this can be sent out like now. It's pretty much finished. We thought we could have it open for maybe like a couple of weeks, a week or two maybe. Um, and just do it that way, but it can be sent out pretty much immediately as is. Great, thank you. And thanks for your efforts on this. I will be happy to, uh, touch base or Dr. Williams will with Mr. Hassler and Mr. Gomer, maybe we could plug it on the morning show one morning and say, "Check your
002inbox." kind of thing to all students. Uh, and leave it open. I don't want to send it before the spring break. Things get lost 3 days before spring break. Uh, so we'll wait till kind of we come out of it and then get it out to all the students. Thank you, Dr. Bauer. We appreciate it. Good plan and good insight. I also just want to say thank you for getting this to the forefront. We're really excited to hear what the students voice is in this. So, to be able to get a broader perspective and uh, to keep it at the top of the inbox so that we can get as many participants as possible. It's very exciting. So, thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your support. Um, Mr. Slaughter, can I introduce the
003next topic? You certainly can. All right. So, I'm very proud to share that, um, our student leaders in the EnAct Club, um, have presented in this format many times to this committee and in smaller groups, uh, to the board. And I guess it was last summer, um, the leadership of EnAct met with a few board directors. We walked through the renovation to kind of show them what was going on over the summer and the welcome back to school what the the building would look like and they sat with a couple members of F and O and encouraged them to pursue a policy to make some kind of a commitment to reducing or being more sustainable and tackling some green initiatives. Not just with this project but across the district as a whole. And so we
004were getting somewhere with those conversations and since the board has really flipped. It has we had five new board members this December November December and it's just a totally new group of people so we thought especially this committee so we thought it would be valuable to bring that to the forefront again. No action asked of the board at this time but they have a proposal and some ideas and why it's really meaningful to them. They presented to Mr. Slaughter and I a few weeks ago and have been preparing. So I think I'll throw it to Audrey initially and she will of course have Sreejani presenting with her as well. I'm not sure Casey are you presenting too with this topic? Oh no this is this is all them. Okay got it. All right so with
005that Audrey I'll pass the microphone to you and take it away. I thank you so much and I guess thank you to everyone for just willing being willing to collaborate on these possible energy solutions and hearing us out. So I mean if you don't know I'm Audrey. I am a junior at the high school and then I will pass it to Sreejani. Hi I'm Sreejani. I'm a also a junior at the high school I'm the vice president of EnAct and I'm a student representative on the policy committee. Audrey if you want to get started. Oh, yeah. Um, if we could go to the next slide. So, we wanted to start with our big picture goal for adopting a net zero policy and our goal is to implement this policy for our district and ultimately enable
006us to make incremental shifts to renewable energy sources that go away from fossil fuels. Before we get into it though, it's important to have some background knowledge. So, these are all terms that we would like you guys to be familiar with. Um, we and we can come back to this if needed as well. But, what some of the main ones we'd like to point out is for one, net zero energy refers refers to systems that produce as much renewable energy on site as they consume annually, which reduces greenhouse gases emissions ultimately to near zero. And net zero is different from carbon neutral as this encompasses all greenhouse gases. Um, so I guess we I just wanted to quickly mention um Well, I guess in general some of North Penn's contributions in general for uh fossil
007fuel emissions and that can come from our reliance on fossil fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation, which they all emit the greenhouse gases. So, then here's some quick general facts on a global scale. Um on just like what climate change is doing to our planet. So, it has been 50 years since Earth has had a cooler than average year. Global sea level has risen about 4 inches since 1993 and the rate of rising has doubled over the past 30 years. Uh, between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause about 250,000 additional deaths per year. And ultimately, the reason this is so important is because climate change isn't something that's going to happen, it is happening. So, why is this significant for us from a social standpoint? Well, North Penn School District is a
008central piece of our local community, and what we do affects both the mindset, lives, and actions of all district students and families. Therefore, it is up to us to take the lead in tackling climate change so that we can set a positive example for North Penn School District and beyond. Further, obviously, there's board turnover, there's student turnover. We may not physically be here to see these changes happen, but if we can get something started, we are creating a legacy that is something much larger than any of us individually. And I wanted to add that part of North Penn's vision is to contribute to our local and global communities, and adopting a clean energy policy can help us do exactly that. Next slide, please. So, since North Penn is such a central part of the community,
009and because of this, we need to lead by example. So, what can we do about it? All right. So, that leads us to some of our policy examples, and each of our examples have three things in common. They create a task force, set goals for electricity, another goal for heating, and transportation. The differences between them include the dates or timing and the number of checkpoints. As you can see, this one has three checkpoints for the dates of 2026, 2035, and 2045. The second example, again, retains the same goals, but instead of being 2035 and 2045, we are using 2045 and 2055. So, it's set more in the future, but we do have our main three goals of a leadership team, net zero electricity, and net zero heating and transportation, ultimately. Our third and final example
010has lots of checkpoints. So, if we need a lot of little checkpoints or big checkpoints, either work, but again, all of our examples center around um goals for electricity, heating, transportation, and a team to implement those. So, now we do evidently this is an investment, so I think it's important to know how sustainable technologies do pay for themselves by reducing monthly energy costs, and how affordability of installation increases with time. This is a long-term project. And another another option is offsets, where we would pay to generate clean energy offsite. So, as Audrey highlighted, obviously, there are costs that come into this. It is an investment, and therefore, what we don't request that immediately we adopt this policy. What we want us really start with, though, is creating a team that can get the discussion started.
011Thanks. So, what could the team look like? Well, our purpose will obviously be for sustainability leadership, and some actions may include meeting and regularly reporting on policy, working with community stakeholders to meet the goals of said policy, be further involved in the planning of renovations and other projects that the district takes on, making recommendations for 100% clean energy, and ultimately, of course, developing a long-term plan to achieve the sustainability. And some potential team members, it's not in any way limited to this. This is not exhaustive at all, but it could include a board member, a student, an administrator, and a teacher. So, thinking ahead, um what this team would work towards in going net zero is we would need to offset our electricity or generate our own using clean sources, um and heat our buildings
012and transport students without burning fossil fuels. Thank you for this. >> all so much for this. This is really amazing. Um are you okay if you take a few questions from the committee if that's okay? Um okay, I first off, I just want to thank you all for putting together the presentation, and I just want to thank the next students that have also come before you and for those presentations as well. Um I think it's been a really worthwhile activity. You've done so much to educate and inform, um and share incredible ideas, and I feel like we're getting to that place of identifying practical solutions. Um at the end when you recommended a team, is that the sustainability team that you referenced, or do you recommend Were you thinking of having like a kickoff team
013that could then lay the groundwork to then transition and move in? So, are there two teams, or are there is it one combined idea? So, our plan was to have that team be the sustainability leadership team that works toward these goals, but if it if we would like if it's preferable to start to have a team to kick things off as you said, and then transition into the actual leadership team, we're open to that as well. Okay, great. Thank you. Any other questions from the committee? I don't have a question, but I I just wanted to say that it really makes me happy to see young people be this involved. And of all the people on this call, you're the ones that are going to be most affected um by things that are changing in
014the environment. So it's really happy I'm very happy to see that. Thank you. Thank you. Dr. Bauer. Yeah, I just want to also compliment the students and appreciate their perspective throughout the process. I think we all aspire to have a safer, more sustainable planet. And I think them taking the leadership and setting quite frankly some reachable objectives. No one knows what superintendents and school boards and administrators will decide 35 years from now, but what we do know is they won't make these decisions without someone asking the questions. And someone taking the initiative to get it started. Um so I'm very proud of both of you, your leadership throughout all of this. Um and I think it is a very reasonable ask that we put a team together to And I don't like the 2027 year
015because the two of you won't be here. Um so fall of 2026 sounds pretty good to me for a starting point, and uh we'll go from there. That's my recommendation. Mr. Bell. Uh similar commendations. This is really incredibly thoughtful and just super forward-looking by all of you. So thank you so much. One curiosity I did have, and Mr. Slaughter, this may be more for you in partnership. We're about to take a look at all of our buildings and think about all the different systems we need to do as we plan for the next 10 years plus of work on our buildings. Is this part of the vision and thought that is uh vision of sustainability going to be built into the review as part of that evaluation of our schools or is that something that's
016evolving over time? So, that would be something that evolved over time. The this first step is going to be to identify the issues. Uh once we identify the issues, then we make a plan. Then we would talk about what types of things implement or implemented in that plan. So, if we're looking at replacing a boiler plant, we would then consider how much of that needs to could possibly go to solar. Is geothermal an option for for that type of heating system for the building uh also with the air conditioning. So, I think the first step one is to identify the problems. Then as we set a pathway, we look at each building on an individual basis and and analyze what options are available to us. Those are certainly options that we would present to this
017committee and to the board uh with paybacks and with uh you know, what the costs are associated with that. So, um that that would be our side of things. I will let Audrey, Sirjani, and uh Casey talk about it from their perspective. Mr. Collier, do you want to take this one? Absolutely. Uh can everybody hear me? Um this is my first time talking. Okay, cool. Um so, if you don't already know me, I'm John Collier. I teach environmental science up at the high school, and I've been doing an act all the way back to the Penn Dale days um when I started in the district almost 20 years ago. And uh I I think absolutely what Mr. Slaughter said is correct. You got to figure out what needs updating in your district, and then I
018absolutely think our team uh that could evolve from this can kind of be involved in that. And I I think um one of the important parts of the team is uh people that have responsibilities toward this district in terms of making sure everything works. They have a lot on their plates. And so, if you have a subsection that is just looking at sustainability and you're setting aside time and energy to put toward that, it's a lot more likely to happen and you're a lot more likely to have people uh not letting things slip through the cracks to make sure, you know, sustainable options get considered. So, yeah. I think it all makes total sense, and I really appreciate the um coalescing of leadership here with a vision for this, but also the process to do
019it well. So, thank you both. So, I agree with Dr. Bauer that I think a 2026 um target date for creating that committee. Um it might also be nice for us to consider having one member of our community on on the committee, too. Um even though the board is also we're also members of the community, but in each of us, too, I think it's I think you all kind of hit on it that the the this is critical because of the place and the role that North Penn plays within our broader community, but also I think what you all have proven to do as students is to show when there's student interest, you build momentum. And I think one of the greatest gifts that can come of this is that we build momentum outside of
020the district as much as we do within. Um so, some key considerations there. I also um I don't want to let go of the updates to this committee. So, I think if there is a sustainability work group, it still gets tied to this committee so that we still have a place of um giving updates, sharing updates with the broader community, and tracking progress Um and so keeping it tied to that. But those are operational issues that we can certainly work through. Okay, Dr. Waters, I see you have a hand up. Yes, I just also wanted to quickly say great job to the ladies. That was awesome and I just wanted to thank you Mr. Collier for your leadership. We we got to work together at Penn Dale a long time ago and I'm just impressed
021by you and your committee. So great job to all of you. Thank you. Okay, Mr. Linsky. Good evening everyone. So I just wanted to give a thank you to the group. So my background being environmental, I think the work um that Mr. Collier does with with the NAC club is is great and just wanted to give you a shout-out. We've communicated a little bit back and forth over the years and anything I can do to help, I'm here. Thank you, Mr. Linsky. Um so Mr. Slaughter, is this idea and concept something that we want to take to work session? Do we What are your recommendations for kind of building this and and getting it getting the ball rolling? So I think in discussions with Dr. Bauer, our next step would be a presentation at a
022work session committee to share this with the entire board and then out of that maybe move to policy committee to create a policy for whatever objectives we want to obtain out of the the work session. Obviously, it sounds like we've all we're all in agreement that one objective is to create the group to start moving forward. So that may be a good starting point for for policy committee. And then once policy committee would move that forward, it would go back to the board for approval. Okay. >> is suggest a pathway. Okay, I think that's a great I think we have a great actionable items which I appreciate. I think ENAC students have come and you give us great ideas, great research and now actionable items. So I appreciate that. Um while we have you all
023on this call, do you all want to do give us a updates on aren't you hosting a couple of events coming up in the spring? Do you want to share information on those? Sure. Um so on April 11th, we have our native plant sale and hop into spring events for ENAC. Um our native plant sale, Audrey's in charge of it so she can speak more to it but it is exactly what it sounds like. We will be selling native plants and we'll be sell we'll be selling them with little information cards that says like how to take care of them, how to grow them, etc. Audrey can speak more to that though. And then the other aspect is hop into spring which runs adjacent to grow in stem. Both our events are both of the
024events are for elementary schoolers. I believe grow in stem is run by NHS but hop into spring essentially each year we choose a environmental related theme and related to that we do a story, a game and a craft. This year our theme is island biogeography. So it's essentially the idea that when animals migrate they're going to islands and the bigger the islands are and the closer they are, the easier it is. The smaller and farther, it's harder. And then we're also we also want to touch on the idea that humans sometimes create like artificial islands whether it be through creating roads, buildings, etc. Things that are man-made and we essentially want the kids to be able to explore that idea and at the end they get to design their very own island with paper and
025like a little craft. So we're very excited and it would be great if any of you guys want to come out, that would be wonderful. Great, appreciate that. Thank you. And thanks for those updates. Okay. Are we ready for public comment or any other items to wrap up, Mr. Slaughter? I don't have any other items unless there's any questions out there that we need to address. Okay. Um Dr. Bauer. Yeah, I just wanted to throw out there that there is a legislative breakfast event at the MCIU on Friday. And the focus of that event, each year it brings local legislators together along with school district personnel and board directors. North Penn will be very well represented at that event. They typically pick two two to three superintendents to speak. And then they try to involve
026some students. That's a relatively new addition. But not only was I chosen as one of the few to speak. I'm having Sreejani speak with me. And then we actually have someone who is no stranger to North Penn Television. Her name is Deblina Kandu. Deblina is going to be facilitating a panel discussion between Senator Tracy Pennecook and a Representative Matt Bradford. So really excited about the North Penn presence at the event. Deblina and Sreejani are going to be far outshine me, I'm sure. And I know Mrs. Ramachandran and a few of your fellow directors are going to join us. Can't wait. And Sreejani, we'll see you there. Yeah, I'm excited for this. Excited you'll be there. So thank you. Yeah, looking forward to it. Um okay, very good. So Mr. Gilmore, do we have any persons
027desiring to be heard this evening? So we have one person in the in the room, but I I think they're going to raise their hand, but I'll give it a second. Okay. I'm going to count it down 3 2 1. So, no no hands raised tonight. Okay. And so, just as a quick summary, the items that we are moving forward to our next work session are the um two change orders. Anything else that I missed, Mr. Slaughter? No, those are the only two items we're moving to uh action. Okay, perfect. Okay. So, the next facilities um and operations committee will be um held on April 28th, immediately following the safe schools committee at 5:45, and will be held in a virtual format. Do I have a motion to adjourn? So moved. Wonderful. Okay, I'll see
028um some of you at the MCIU legislative breakfast, um and I'll see others at future meetings coming up soon. Um and to our student representatives, thank you for making this an incredibly insightful and productive meeting. Um and Mr. Slaughter, thank you so much to your team for your concise um and and brilliant updates on the renovation projects. So, really excited to see the progress um happening on that. Okay, it is a beautiful evening. The sun is still out, so please go take a little bit of time to go enjoy the sunset and have a good evening. Thanks. Good night, everyone.