Research shows that school facilities impact student learning.

In Arkansas facilities also contribute to adequacy and comprise a portion of a district’s operating and maintenance budget. The Arkansas Energy Office invites school administrators to attend the Arkansas Chapter of the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC-AR) 6th Annual Sustainable Arkansas Conference to be held at the Hot Springs Convention Center on May 19-20, 2008. School officials may register at a reduced rate of $35.

Arkansas school administrators will be especially interested in the May 20 session conducted by Franklin Brown, Project Administrator of the Ohio School Facilities Commission and advocate of sustainable, green building practices for public school construction. Mr. Brown managed the State Energy Conservation Financing Authority Program which made over a billion dollars in school improvements to Ohio school facilities with no expenditure of taxpayer money. He serves as President-Elect for the Ohio Chapter of the Council of Educational Facilities Planners International. Also featured is Chad Grendle, a specialist in computer simulation and building design, who will discuss the role of computer modeling in the design and construction of high performance buildings.

School officials will learn more about green school design and the economic, productivity and health benefits that green practices can bring to your students, teachers, and community. You will also learn why the state of Ohio is requiring within the next three years, 260 new and renovated schools be targeted for LEED Gold Certification with a minimum Certification level of Silver.

Registration for the May 20 session is only $35 for all public school employees or administrators. Please see the attached flyer and registration form. Although you will not find the special fee listed on the form, simply provide your name, the name of your district, and your position and send your $35 registration fee to the address listed on the form. If you plan to attend the entire conference, the fee is $185.00. Please register no later than Wednesday, May 14 so that USGBC will have adequate space reserved for the presentations. Detailed information about the conference is located at: www.sustainablearkansas.com.

Related Links:

Conference Flyer (PDF)
Registration Form (PDF)