The new sustainability coordinator for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools told the Board of Education on Thursday night how his environmental efforts are saving the school system more than $100,000 this year.

Sustainability Coordinator Dan Schnitzer said he analyzes three elements every time he starts a program or collaborates on a program – academic impact, environmental impact, and financial impact.

Schnitzer said he’s implemented measures to make schools more cost-efficient, including “literally rolling up sleeves and getting into some dumpsters.”

At the Board of Education meeting, Schnitzer said cost-cutting measures include reducing the number of dumpsters and frequency of dumpster pickups. “It’s one of those areas where no one complains and so we assume it’s not a problem,” said Schnitzer. “But we can probably do better, and we’ve been able to do that.”

Schnitzer also cut costs by upgrading from incandescent bulbs to more energy and cost-efficient LED bulbs. He said that all together these efforts resulted in $128,000 in savings.

He’s the first person to hold the job of sustainability coordinator, which is funded through a permanent utility budget reallocation. Assistant Superintendent for Support Services Todd LoFrese said the savings from Schnitzer’s work exceeded his salary.

Shnitzer supported a composting program at Phillips Middle School. It was started by a group of students who call themselves the “Trash Terminators.” Now, students all across the school system compost their food scraps after lunch.

Superintendent Tom Forcella talked about eating lunch at Phillips last year.

“It was interesting seeing how the kids were very seamless in knowing where to put stuff,” said Forcella. “But I was really nervous because I was afraid of putting my container in the wrong place.”

Related Stories
‹
Rani Dasi Prepares to Close Chapter of CHCCS Leadership, Take On County Commissioner Role
Rani Dasi visited 97.9 The Hill for an exclusive interview about her appointment, her legacy during three terms on the school board, and more.
Orange County Board of Commissioners Unanimously Votes for Rani Dasi to Fill District 1 Seat
Rani Dasi is poised to join the Board of Orange County Commissioners this summer, earning a short-term selection by unanimous vote.
'We're in Crisis': CHCCS Board of Education Approves Plan to Limit Classroom Screen Time
When it comes to screen time, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is trying to have better guardrails in the classroom.
With Closure Decision Made, CHCCS Leaders and Glenwood Elementary Community Try to Move Forward
Thursday’s vote by the CHCCS Board of Education ended months of speculation of which of three elementary schools may be discontinued.
Here's What CHCCS Board Members Said About Decision to Close Glenwood Elementary
Most CHCCS Board of Education members shared comments about their reasoning for the conclusion and unanimous vote to close Glenwood.
CHCCS Board of Education Votes to Close Glenwood Elementary School, Protect Magnet Programs
Glenwood Elementary School will close in the fall of 2027, after the CHCCS Board of Education voted unanimously on Thursday night.
CHCCS Board of Education Discuss Criteria for Elementary School Closure Study, But Decision Still Unclear
The CHCCS Board of Education recently met to continue its conversation on the future elementary school closures.
CHCCS Board of Education Approves Site Plans for Carrboro Elementary Replacement Project
Carrboro Elementary School is not in talks for which CHCCS elementary school will close, with plans to replace the existing building instead.
CHCCS Board of Education Weighs Closing 2 Elementary Schools Amid Enrollment, Funding Declines
The CHCCS Board of Education began its latest round of feedback on Feb. 5 about how to approach closing at least one elementary school in the face of waning enrollment and funding challenges.
N.C. House Committee Grills CHCCS Leaders Over 'Parents' Bill of Rights' Policies; District Maintains Compliance
CHCCS leaders appeared in Raleigh to testify to lawmakers about whether the district is following the Parents' Bill of Rights law.
›