ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how the practical functions of operating and managing school facilities take on new meaning as we acknowledge their importance in ensuring the well-being of children and the well-being of the planet. It explores needs of the whole child, reminding the role the physical learning environment plays in students' physical, social, emotional, and cognitive well-being. The chapter examines how sustainability-focused principals, in concert with their facilities colleagues, manage healthy, safe, and sustainable learning environments in ways that reduce energy, conserve natural resources, and minimize waste. Building operations and maintenance strategies also play a key role in avoiding moisture and diagnosing moisture sources when they occur. Low-energy heating and cooling methods, such as underfloor displacement air distribution, reduce energy costs and maintain comfortable, consistent temperatures for building occupants. Green schools are designed to consume fewer natural resources and create a harmonious relationship between the building and it's natural surroundings.
