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31 '9C) <br /> supplies and equipment (wrestling mats, basketball goals, scoreboards), athletic <br /> and band uniforms, custodial cleaning equipment, lawn maintenance equipment, <br /> recycling and trash containers, postage machines, specialized equipment such <br /> as pianos, and signage. <br /> 2) Other Considerations <br /> a) High Performance Buildings <br /> During the planning process, school districts should give special attention to <br /> incorporating fiscally sound energy efficiencies and sustainable green building <br /> standards that use renewable/recyclable materials, improve the environment and <br /> air quality, and reduce energy usage. Ways to achieve this include: <br /> ■ Choosing efficient lighting systems and energy management controls <br /> ■ Incorporating solar orientation, earth integration, and xeriscaping <br /> (landscaping with slow-growing, drought tolerant plants to conserve water <br /> and reduce trimmings) <br /> ■ Selecting energy efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems <br /> ■ Adopting energy alternatives and other conservation measures such as <br /> day lighting, water reclamation and reuse systems, water free urinals, <br /> photovoltaics, and xeriscaping <br /> School systems should analyze life cycle costs of high performance systems to <br /> determine their efficiency and sustainability. <br /> b) Materials <br /> Construction contractors and School district staff should select construction <br /> materials based on low maintenance and high durability. The presumed life <br /> cycle of new schools is fifty or more years. <br /> c) Generator Ready Schools <br /> Construction plans for all future schools should include the facility being <br /> "generator ready" so that they can serve as emergency shelters as needed. <br /> d) Other Considerations <br /> Other site considerations might include: <br /> i) Types of landscaping and buffers at all school sites <br /> ii) Installing synthetic playing fields or equipping athletic fields with irrigation <br /> systems <br /> 18 <br />