Facility Use:
Facility use policies are governance decisions that directly impact community access, student safety, and district liability. At First State Educate, we support school leaders in developing clear, equitable policies that balance community engagement with responsible oversight to protect students and strengthen Delaware’s public schools.
This page features national policy news and research related to school climate and discipline to help you stay informed about trends, best practices, and emerging issues. Read the article summaries and access the articles via the buttons below. Explore current conversations, understand how other states and districts are approaching these topics, and consider how these insights may inform governance decisions in Delaware.
South Carolina – Charleston County School District
The board is reviewing a policy that would limit the types of names that can be given to school buildings. The proposed changes aim to standardize naming practices and reduce politicization.
Illinois – Grayslake CCSD 46 (District 46)
The district has implemented a broad sustainability program that includes composting in all schools, large-scale solar panels, efforts to reduce paper use, and integrating sustainability practices into facility planning. They formed a Resource Conservation Committee under board policy, use tools like the LEED checklist and ARCskour to benchmark building performance, and embed environmental education into curricula via outdoor learning and project-based work.
Colorado – Denver Public Schools
With rising numbers of empty or underutilized buildings, the Denver school board is considering new policies for reusing, leasing, or selling school properties. Community input is being sought to guide decisions that balance fiscal responsibility with community needs.
Connecticut – New Haven Public Schools
The district has expanded recycling and composting programs across schools, targeting materials such as glass, paper, and plastic. Seventeen schools actively use the recycling program with support from donated bins from IKEA; staff have introduced recycling education sessions and formed sustainability teams at each site to promote best practices.
California – Oakland Unified School District
OUSD adopted a new sustainability policy committing to 100% clean electricity by 2030, eliminating fossil fuels by 2040, and integrating climate justice into education. The plan, developed with student and community input, includes upgrades to energy, waste, water, transportation, and schoolyards, with a focus on protecting vulnerable schools from climate impacts like wildfire smoke and flooding.