The Davenport School District is one of just five across the country to win a grant to support its sustainability programs. This week, the district was chosen by the Center for Green Schools to receive 20,000 dollars, along with districts in Boston, Milwaukee, Santa Monica, and Seattle.
Debbie Mahr is an Energy and Sustainability Specialist for the Davenport schools. She says the money will pay for staff training and to attend conferences, and for lesson plans on sustainability.
"That is so powerful. If we can model the right behaviors here at the school district, then students can see that and take it home to their own families and to their community. And we can make such a big difference."
Mahr says the district continues to expand its recycling programs, and reduce the amount of paper and paper products it uses. She's also hoping to reduce the number of milk cartons - the district bought nearly two million last year.
Last year the Davenport schools spent more than 1.8 million dollars for natural gas and electricity, but still spent much less per square foot than many other districts in Iowa.
She thinks spending less on energy and promoting sustainability will mean more money for the classrooms.
