Melanie Bates: Environmentally Sustainable Building Practices

On September 17, 2007, the Cincinnati Board of Education was the first school board in Ohio to pass a resolution adopting sustainable design "green" guidelines for the Facilities Master Plan.

I supported this resolution, along with five other members of the Board of Education (one member voted in opposition).

These guidelines outlined initiatives, which include all new building in Segment 2 and 3 shall strive to meet the certification requirements of LEED Silver, and that all Segment 3 buildings that are to be rehabilitated shall strive for Leed certification or higher.

Subequently the Ohio School Facilities Commission announced on September 27, 2007, its adoption of the LEED for Schools Rating System as part of its school design standards. The Executive Director of the OSFC highlighted Pleasant Ridge Elementary as the first school in the state that has been LEED registered and is seeking Silver certification.

As a member of the Cincinnati School Board I have provided leadership in the "green" initiative, and I will continue to do so in public works projects that come under my jurisdiction.