SCHOOL COMMITTEE
(1 seat available - 1 year term) Sharon Clarke

In addition to supporting the core values, vision and mission of the Wellesley Public Schools, the Committee’s responsibilities are to: develop and manage school policies; support the allocation of resources by overseeing budget & facilities; hire and review superintendent of schools; advocate for the school district.

Q1. As you know, Town Meeting passed the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change in 2020. How do you envision this resolution being carried out by the School Committee during your term?
 
Sharon Clarke
A1. -To carry out the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change during my term, I would focus on several strategies to continue integrating climate change awareness and action within the school district. Here are some ways I envision this:

1. Awareness: Encourage climate change education to be woven into student life, not just in science classes. This can include increasing awareness of sustainability, the impact of human actions on the environment, and the role of individuals and communities in mitigating climate change through projects and communications during non-class time. By doing so in partnership with community sustainability organizations and efforts, we can help students become more informed, active community participants in addressing the climate crisis they will inherit.
2. Energy Efficiency & Sustainability in Schools: Collaborate with the Climate Action Committee and facilities team to examine such energy-saving technologies, such as solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, and improved insulation in school buildings as we consider building improvements, including the consideration of climate control efforts at WMS and the three elementary schools without air conditioning. 
3. Green Initiatives & School Grounds: Collaborate on projects that promote sustainability, such as school gardens, composting programs, or partnerships with local environmental organizations. These programs can provide hands-on learning for students, while also benefiting the community and the environment.
4. Eco-Friendly Transportation: Continue exploration of smart options that reduce the carbon footprint of school-related transportation. This could include promoting biking or walking to school where it makes safety sense, promoting the use of bus services to reduce car use, and continue the efforts exploring the possibility of electric school buses.

Q2. The School Committee has been discussing a feasibility study on installing air conditioning at Bates, Fiske, Schofield, and the Middle School. As a member of the School Committee evaluating these projects, how  will you balance the needs of the students and faculty with the Town’s goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions? Do you support including in the feasibility study an analysis of the climate impact, full building decarbonization, and building envelope analysis as part of these projects?

Sharon Clarke
​A2. As a member of the School Committee, it's important for me to approach the feasibility study for air conditioning solutions with a holistic view, weighing both the immediate needs of students and faculty and the long-term sustainability goals of the Town. Some key considerations in balancing these needs:
1. Student and Faculty Needs:

• Ensuring a comfortable learning and teaching environment is critical, especially in hotter months. High temperatures can lead to distractions, fatigue, and even health issues. For students, it’s important to provide a conducive environment for learning, and for faculty, it can enhance their ability to teach effectively. When the heat index becomes over whelming, the result is days of learning loss at the affected schools and inequitable learning environments across the elementary schools, given the all air conditioned new elementary schools. Research shows that extreme heat can impair concentration and academic performance, so addressing this need is important for the overall educational experience.

2. Climate Impact: Installing air conditioning could increase energy consumption, especially if the systems are not energy-efficient. As a Town that aims to reduce its carbon footprint, we should be mindful to explore alternatives that balance comfort with sustainability.  Full Building Decarbonization: This would involve ensuring that the air conditioning systems (and other HVAC solutions) are compatible with the Town’s overall goal of reducing carbon emissions, perhaps through the use of renewable energy or more energy-efficient systems. In addition, upgrading other infrastructure (such as heating systems and insulation) could contribute to reducing the school buildings' overall carbon footprint. It would be ideal to include an analysis of the climate impact, full building decarbonization, and a building envelope analysis should be part of these projects. Not only would this allow the Committee to assess the true long-term environmental impact of air conditioning, but it would also help identify opportunities for integrating renewable energy solutions, improving building efficiency, and ensuring that any interventions align with broader sustainability goals.

With so many of the decisions made by any public committee, the pros and cons of many factors need to be considered and weighed and no solution will be perfect for anyone.