Cherokee School District Among Greenest in State

For the Cherokee County School District, it is easy being green.

The district has been named the Georgia Green Ribbon Schools Program winner for the state's medium-sized school districts. Each state picked one winner from their small, medium, and large districts.

The three criteria for a Green Ribbon school district are:

1. Optimal efficiency in energy, water, and waste management.
2. Healthy students and school environment.
3. Environmental education.

Although CCSD was not chosen to move on to the national competition, the district still has much to be proud of.

"The Cherokee County School District thinks 'green' in all aspects of our operations," said spokeswoman Barbara Jacoby.  

"Environmental awareness leads not only to facilities and practices that are better for the health of students, staff and natural resources, but also that are more energy efficient and economical, which in turn benefits the financial health of the School District and community as a whole.  We have a holistic view of our mission and understand that improved health and wellness leads to overall more successful students and staff."

The state program is possible due to a partnership of Georgia Department of Education, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, the U.S. Green Building Council of Georgia, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, the Clean Air Campaign and the Turner Foundation. The Georgia program is part of the U.S. Department of Education’s larger National Green Ribbon School District program.

Cagle will be honoring all district winners, including CCSD, on the floor of the State Senate at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday.

“We are proud to once again support outstanding schools in our state that implement groundbreaking tools to reduce their energy costs.  In these challenging times, school systems across the state continue to embrace these innovative ideas to reduce costs and focus resources on the classrooms where students learn,” said Lt. Governor Cagle in a CCSD press release.  

“These efforts will allow us to redirect precious financial resources towards direct instruction, create a healthier learning environment for our children, and give our students career-relevant, first-hand experience in one of our state’s emerging industries.”

CCSD plans to create a webpage detailing the methods the district uses to be more environmentally friendly which led to their selection as a Green Ribbon school district. It will be featured on the District's website.