H.J.R. 1 Enrolled

1

SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS JOINT RESOLUTION
2 2012 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Mark A. Wheatley
5 Senate Sponsor: Karen W. Morgan
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This joint resolution of the Legislature encourages the Utah State Board of Education
10 and Utah's school districts to consider ways to establish schools in the state of Utah that
11 promote a healthy environment for students, as well as being energy-efficient in their
12 operation and development.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 . encourages the Utah State Board of Education to consider the broader application of
16 the design and construction practices for healthy, energy-efficient schools, both for
17 new construction and major renovation projects undertaken with school district
18 funds; and
19 . encourages school districts to consider sustainable practices that can be incorporated
20 effectively into school construction and operation.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
23
24 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 WHEREAS, healthy, energy-efficient schools are schools that create a healthy
26 environment that is conducive to learning, and saves money, energy, and resources;
27 WHEREAS, these schools create a learning environment that supports student learning
28 through improvements in site selection, daylighting, indoor air quality, thermal comfort,
29 acoustics, and classroom design, all of which have an impact on a child's ability to learn and a

30 teacher's ability to teach;
31 WHEREAS, the benefits of superior air quality, a key emphasis of these schools, have
32 been linked to lower asthma rates, fewer allergies, reduced absenteeism, and increased teacher
33 retention rates;
34 WHEREAS, according to the United States Green Buildings Council, these healthy,
35 energy-efficient schools consume an average of 30% to 50% less energy compared to
36 conventional schools;
37 WHEREAS, these schools cost less to operate, utilize durable materials, and greatly
38 reduce water and energy use, which generates significant cost savings;
39 WHEREAS, these schools provide an educational experience that transcends the
40 classroom by creating a host of opportunities for curriculum innovation and hands-on,
41 project-based learning in which the building itself becomes an interactive teaching tool; and
42 WHEREAS, healthy, energy-efficient schools currently under construction are on track
43 to be among the first energy net-zero K-12 schools in the nation:
44 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
45 encourages the Utah State Board of Education to consider the broader application of the design
46 and construction practices for healthy, energy-efficient schools, both for new construction and
47 major renovation projects undertaken with school district funds.
48 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature encourages school districts to
49 consider sustainable practices that can be incorporated effectively into school construction and
50 operation.
51 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah State
52 Board of Education and to the school boards of the state's 41 school districts.