MEMBERS PRESENT:

• Kimi Emerson, Sunnyside Elementary
• Holly Steele, Franklin Elementary
• Debbie Crabtree, Pullman High School
• Juston Pollestad, Executive Director of Operations
• Bob Maxwell, Superintendent
• Jessie Campbell, Nutrition Services Supervisor (REMOTE)
• Matt Heiszler, District Office
• Courtney Hodge, Committee Secretary

MEMBERS ABSENT:

• Geoff Reilly, Lincoln Middle School 
• Cecilia Hellmann, 12th Grade Pullman High School Student Representative
• Lisa Waananen Jones, School Board Representative

• Pacific Education Institute
  • Continuing to promote professional learning opportunities through the Staff Weekly Report.
• Update on Grant Submissions
  • Grant-Funded Charging Ports: A Washington State grant through Avista will fund the installation of Level 2 electric vehicle charging ports at all school locations, except Sunnyside Elementary, due to the building nearing the end of its usable lifespan.
  • Electric Bus Charging: The committee is exploring the addition of electric bus charging ports at Pullman High School.
  • Car Charging Fees: Existing free car charging ports will transition to a pay-to-use system.
• Electric Bus Fleet: The district will have three electric buses, all funded through grants.
• Solar Panel Initiatives: The district is actively pursuing solar panel grants. The Transportation Cooperative is already designed for solar panels, and there is interest in expanding solar to additional school and district facilities.
• Energy Cost Increases: A rate increase in December 2024 led to a $25,000 rise in energy costs. The district is committed to ongoing energy conservation efforts to manage expenses.

• Composting System: The Environmental Club and student ambassadors are working on a sustainable composting system that can adapt over time and with student turnover. They aim to align the system with Lincoln Middle School’s model and potentially involve school kitchens.
• Plant-Based Menu Options: The district will explore expanding plant-based food options with the support of a grant.
• Food Waste Study: An intern will conduct another food waste study this school year to inform future sustainability efforts.
• Cafeteria Supplies:
  • The district is exploring the option of switching to metal trays.
  • Currently using disposable utensils due to frequent silverware loss; however, there's interest in moving away from disposables to more compostable options.
  • Magnet lids on trash cans were intended to recover silverware but have proven ineffective.
• eWaste and Recyclable Equipment:
  • The committee discussed expanding the current district eWaste system to include personal eWaste.
  • Interest in having environmental clubs run a “Spring Clean-Up” event around Earth Day for eWaste collection.
• Earth Day Activities:
  • Support for the "Pizza for the Planet" event by Phoenix Conservancy, which turns used pizza boxes into biochar.
  • The committee is interested in supporting the Environmental Club’s Earth Day initiatives.
• Rainwater Collection: Students shared interest in collecting rainwater for summer field use to conserve water.

The committee expressed strong interest in supporting the composting plan and student-led sustainability efforts.

• Pullman High School: Environmental Club
  • Tuesdays, 3:10pm
• Lincoln Middle School: Spartan Sprouts, will meet again in Spring
• Elementary: 
  • Franklin Garden Club, 2nd Wednesday of the month after school
    • Soil is a major expense for the club. Access to excess compost from other schools would greatly benefit the raised beds at Franklin.

Reviewed a variety of resource links that might be helpful for the committee moving forward.