Houston ISD earns Green Pioneer Award

The Houston ISD was honored with a Green Pioneer Award from the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council on Thursday, Oct. 11.

The award was given to recognize the district's dedication to building sustainable schools and was accepted by Paula Harris and Harvin Moore, board of education trustees.

"Your commitment to assuring that where children learn is as important as what children learn, and who they learn it from, is a testament to your understanding that learning environment must be holistic," David Ronn, chair of the U.S. Green Building Council's Texas Gulf Coast Chapter, said in the release. "You should be proud of your leadership in this area."

According to the release, Houston ISD has the second-largest number of LEED-registered schools in the nation with 10. An additional 20 are in the process of receiving certification.

"For us, this is about more than just earning a certificate to hang on the wall," Harris said in the release. "It's about showing our children that we are committed to responsible building practices that preserve resources for generations to come."

One such example is at Carnegie Vanguard High School, the newest in the district, which features a green roof that reduces energy costs and serves as an outdoor learning laboratory.