Page 26 - Priorities #48 2011-January/February

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Priory Takes a Multi-Faceted Approach to
Sustainability
by Hovey Clark
Substainability coordinator and faculty
The Priory has taken some bold new steps
in its efforts toward sustainable operations. While the school has integrated sustainable approaches in many of its recent capital im- provements, this year’s changes include the creation of a new Sus- tainability Coordinator position, which I occupy.
Truly sustainable decisions need to fit three main criteria: they need to be socially beneficial, ecologically enhancing, and cost neu- tral – or generate a return on investment. Changes like these take time, but these three concepts are at the forefront of our strategic sustainable planning.
In 2005, we finished construction on the Rothrock Performing Arts Center, whose green design features waterless urinals, insu- lated windows, and a living roof. In 2007, the school entered into a solar lease agreement, allowing the school to turn unused rooftops and plots on campus into energy production facilities. To date, these solar arrays have produced 350, 000 kWh of energy, and saved the school more than fifty thousand dollars in energy costs.
Over this same timeframe, teachers, administrators, parents and staff have begun to incorporate sustainable themes into our dispa- rate courses, class retreat themes, extra-curricular service learning opportunities for students, and philosophies toward student health