Steamboat Pilot & Today

We, as concerned members of our community, would like the school board to reconsider its decision to not seek LEED certification for the new Soda Creek School.

The recent report, "Greening America's Schools: Costs and Benefits" by Gregory Kats, sponsored by American Federation of Teachers, American Institute of Architects, American Lung Association, Federation of American Scientists and U.S. Green Building Council concludes that green building is more cost effective than traditional building.

"This national review of 30 green schools demonstrates that green schools cost less than 2 percent more than conventional schools - or about $3 per square foot - but provide financial benefits that are 20 times as large. Greening school design provides an extraordinarily cost-effective way to enhance student learning, reduce health and operational costs and, ultimately, increase school quality and competitiveness. : For an average conventional school, building green would save enough money to pay for an additional full-time teacher."

Building green is better for the students, better for the staff and better for the environment. It lives up to our district's virtues of respect, responsibility, integrity and commitment.

It is not enough to say the board is committed to many of the LEED ideas. We need third party verification and a binding commitment. As seen by the other community projects in town, such as the library and community center, LEED certification is something the community values.

We hope the board does the right thing and reconsiders its decision.

Danielle and Michael Skov, Marra Bennett, Stacey T. Bodden, Paige Boucher, Sarah Fox, Fox Construction Inc., Bill and Lisa Gamber, Jeff and Trigg Gerber, Mae Greene, Susie Gruben, Gavin Malia, Kristin and Tim Selby, Trappers Lake Sierra Club, Emmanuelle Vital, Morgan Watson and Norm Weaver