Rye City School District's Environmental Report Card: D+

If the Rye City School District were being graded on its environmental efforts, it would barely receive passing marks.

The District scored 69 percent in the "How Green is Your Town?" study, the equivalent of a D+.

Grassroots Environmental Education (GEE), a non-profit organization, and students from Pace University spent five months interviewing local officials and compiling data to evaluate environmental sustainability initiatives in 43 of the county's communities. The group released their findings late last month.

More than 100 Pace students gathered data for the "How Green is My Town" study by systematically assessing the extent to which green policies exist in Westchester's local governments, schools, and businesses.

GEE gave the six municipalities with the highest scores--White Plains, Bronxville, Chappaqua, Katonah, Yorktown, and Larchmont--a "Green Star" award. 

The effort faced a hurdle, though, in local business participation. Like many other business communities in Westchester, Rye business owners chose not to participate, so the scores were weighted between government, making up 66 percent, and the Rye City School District (RCSD), which consisted of just about one-third, or 34 percent.

Grassroots Environmental Education Executive Director Patti Wood said that the survey is meant to be a starting point for local organizations to take steps toward environmental sustainability. As green initiatives are improved, Wood is encouraging participants to contact GEE to augment their scores where appropriate.

"The goal of our program is to help communities share ideas and resources, and to find ways to move ahead on a green agenda even during these tough economic times," Wood said.

Schools are an ideal place to bring green initiatives to the larger community. While the Rye City School District's overall weighted score of 115 is nearly equal to the county average of 114, the administration seems to be on the right track toward creating sustainable policies for the future.

"Each sector of the community has a vital role to play in making a town truly green," said Michelle Land, Director of the Pace Academy for Applied Environmental Studies. "When the local government, school system, and business community are working together in a cooperative effort, the results can be innovative and significant."

The "How Green is My Town" school questionnaire was completed by RCSD's Business Manager Kathleen Ryan, who did not respond to multiple inquiries from Patch. The survey consisted of 47 questions for a total of 55 points. RCSD scored 38 total points.

There's obviously some room for the district to improve its D+ grade, namely if it creates comprehensive environmental policies which GEE says are essential if schools and communities want to become more eco-friendly.

Here's a rundown highlighting the areas in each category where RCSD excels and where it needs some improvement:

1. ENERGY

No comprehensive environmental policy in place.

• EXCELLENT: RCSD has investigated alternative energy sources, including solar, wind, biofuel and biomass and utilized them where appropriate. The district has requested equipment needed for heating school water through solar power.
• NEEDS WORK: RCSD has taken initiatives to reduce energy consumption, but has not mandated dates and/or percentages.

2. GREEN PROCUREMENT

No comprehensive environmental policy in place.

• EXCELLENT: RCSD belongs to a local purchasing network and considers the health impacts of the products it purchases.
• NEEDS WORK: RCSD does not currently consider the recyclability of products or component parts and doesn't take into consideration procured products' transportation costs and packaging impacts.

3. GREEN CLEANING

While there is no comprehensive environmental policy, RCSD adheres to New York State standards.

• EXCELLENT: School district uses only cleaning products that are safe for children.
• NEEDS WORK: RCSD does not prohibit the purchase or use of artificial air fresheners.

4. BUILDING PRACTICES

RCSD received half credit for a comprehensive environmental policy.

• EXCELLENT: RCSD uses solar energy and natural daylighting in all new projects.

• NEEDS WORK: RCSD does not always require renovations to meet green building standards.

5. TRANSPORTATION

A comprehensive environmental policy is in place.

• EXCELLENT: RCSD encourages walking, biking and car pools to and from schools.
• NEEDS WORK: RCSD doesn't yet encourage the purchase of (or contracting for) alternative fuel vehicles.

6. GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

RCSD received half credit for a comprehensive environmental policy.

• EXCELLENT: RCSD maintains its grounds and playing fields without pesticides and prohibits playground equipment constructed with treated wood.
• NEEDS WORK: RCSD doesn't use energy-efficient, non-polluting landscaping equipment and currently uses a synthetic turf field.

7. RECYCLING

RCSD received half credit for a comprehensive environmental policy.

• EXCELLENT: A comprehensive recycling program for use by students and staff is in place. Students are included in the management of the program and a parent-run intitiative provides receptacles for recycling batteries and e-waste?
• NEEDS WORK: Ryan said RCSD is working on composting food scraps for the district's cafeterias.

8. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS

RCSD received half credit for a comprehensive environmental policy.

• EXCELLENT: An effective integrated pest management policy for interior pesticides is in place. The district also encourages a fragrance-free environment.

• NEEDS WORK: While RCSD uses no- or low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints, stains, and finishes, some adhesives are high in potentially toxic VOCs.

9. COMMUNICATIONS

RCSD received half credit for a comprehensive environmental policy.

• EXCELLENT: The district communicates environmental policies to students, faculty, parents and the community and provides information on environmental issues on the RCSD web site.
• NEEDS WORK: Ryan said that while environmental issues are covered in some grades, all grade levels may not have environmental curriculum standards.

Jaclyn Bruntfield's "Green Living" columns appear twice a month on Rye Patch. Check out Bruntfield's other bi-weekly column, "Westchester Moms," which details the triumphs and travails of motherhood.