Green Buildings

The district saves money and reduces its environmental impact by incorporating green features into its new buildings.

Geothermal Heating

LWSD has more lineal feet of geothermal loop than any other public school district in the state. The water in the geothermal loop warms underneath the ground, which retains heat in the winter. The cooled water returns to the ground where it warms back up. Geothermal energy is clean, renewable and cost-effective.

Solar panels

Solar panels at Redmond High School

LWSD has the largest solar energy capacity of any district in the state – 615 kilowatts. That’s enough energy to power 60 homes. The 2016 bond projects are being built solar-ready – for when funding becomes available to place solar panels on them.

Natural Light

After a school district passes a bond measure, it is eligible to receive funds from Washington state’s School Construction Assistance Program. Projects must meet detailed requirements to receive this money, including the incorporation of natural view lighting, which allows students to see outside. This reduces electricity costs and enhances student learning environments.

LED Lights

LED lighting in the Clara Barton Elementary School gym

To help LWSD reach its goal of meeting or exceeding state energy standards, the 2016 bond projects will have LED lighting both inside and outside.

Landscaping

Plants that don’t require watering over the summer are chosen for landscaping. Since 2006, we have reduced water used for outside irrigation by 80 percent.

Storm Water

Schools utilize a mix of plants to naturally filter storm water and underground tanks that filter impurities from run-off before water returns to a jurisdiction’s storm water system.

Green Roof

Green roof at Carson ElementaryRachel Carson Elementary School was the first K-12 public school in the state built with a green roof in 2008. The green roof covers two sections of the school, reducing rain run-off from the building. The roof is covered in soil to hold succulent plants that can survive the dry summers. It also insulates the spaces below.

Water Conservation

High-efficiency plumbing fixtures and low-water cleaning procedures have helped the district reduce inside water use by 30 percent since 2006.