Ohio Aims to Become LEED Certified School Champ

The first of 50 states to do so, Ohio celebrated big last month after receiving its 100th LEED certification for a public school. The U.S Green Building Council (USGBC) recognized the state and the Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC), specifically, for not only this triumph, but also the fact that there literally hundreds more - over 300 - academic buildings with LEED-certification applications still in the wings.

Of the 100 schools, 44 have achieved either LEED Gold or LEED Platinum status. Most widely touted is the London Middle School of London City School District which was the first LEED Platinum academic building in the state. The building features a geothermal heating and cooling system, extensive natural lighting and a 71.2 kilowatt solar panel system. Such architectural and engineering constructs paved the way for 40% reduction in water usage and 42% energy savings, which, according to the Center for Green schools, translates to more than $100,000 in savings on annual operating costs.

Particularly interesting is that the student’s academic performance on state tests did improve to which the superintendent, Thomas Ben, did credit the LEED constructs: “We attribute [testing improvements] to several things, but certainly to improving the environment for a child and staff member. I think we all respond to a nice, healthier and more-pleasing environment.”

For architectural planners working with potential K-12 LEED-certification applicants, the most fruitful information from many of Ohio’s successes, particularly the London Middle School, is that such construction does not have to be outrageously expensive. According to a 2005 Turner Construction Company survey, 68% of executives are discouraged from such green engineering because of cost concerns. And yet, the London Middle School was “completed within budget, with the full complement of education components incorporated into the building,” according to Ohio State Facilities Commission (OSFC) Director Richard Hickman.

What’s more, according to the USGBC, roughly 35% of the building materials used in the construction of the LEED-certified schools were procured from regional suppliers, and 22% of the materials were from recyclable materials.