The School Board of Sarasota County, is responsible to insure that every effort is made to conserve energy and natural resources while exercising sound financial management and providing a secure, safe, and healthy environment for students, staff and visitors on all school campuses.

I. The implementation of this policy is the joint responsibility of the board members, administrators, teachers, students and support personnel and its success is based on cooperation at all levels.

II. The district will maintain accurate records of energy consumption and cost of energy and will provide information to the School Board on the goals and progress of the energy conservation program.

III. The principal will be accountable for energy management on his/her campus with energy audits being conducted and conservation program outlines being updated. Judicious use of the various energy systems of each campus will be the joint responsibility of the principal and head custodian to ensure that an efficient energy posture is maintained on a daily basis.

IV. To ensure the overall success of the energy management program, the following specific areas of emphasis will be adopted:

A. Every student and employee will be expected to contribute to energy efficiency in our district. Every person will be expected to be an “energy saver” as well as an “energy consumer.”

B. Effective immediately, all unnecessary lighting in unoccupied areas will be turned off. All lights not related to safety and security will be turned off when students and teachers leave school. Custodians will turn on lights only in the areas in which they are working. The location and run time of all designated security lighting will be determined by the District following consultation with Energy Education and the Director of Safety, Security & Emergency Management.

C. Energy management on his/her campus will be discussed with the principal annually.

D. The head custodian at each school will be responsible for a complete and total shutdown of the facility when closed each evening given local health and safety limitations.

V. The School Board bears responsibility for the best use of tax dollars.

VI. Public education can provide leadership in developing a realistic energy ethic and awareness of energy needs and costs.

VII. The School Board of Sarasota County directs the superintendent and/or his/her agents to develop short and long range strategies in the areas of facilities management and curriculum development dealing with energy awareness and conservation.