46-9. Climate Justice
CPS and CTU recognize the importance of creating a healthy, sustainable, and equitable environment. This article sets forth our mutual commitment to promoting sustainable practices and reducing our environmental footprint.
All initiatives, programs, and activities outlined in this Article are contingent upon obtaining specific funding through grants or designated federal, state, or local funds explicitly allocated for sustainability purposes. Implementation of these provisions in this Article will proceed only when such external funding is available.
Key initiatives include:
- Replacing or installing up to 200 automatic flushing drinking water fountains in schools and up to 200 filtered water drinking water fountains.
- Providing each school a monthly report on reported facilities concerns and status.
- Expanding indoor air quality monitoring.
- Implementing scratch cooking kitchen capabilities in twenty-five (25) schools where feasible.
- Establishing lunchroom composting practices in twenty-five (25) schools.
- Replacing windows and upgrading HVAC equipment.
- Implementing stormwater mitigation strategies.
- Advancing building electrification and adopting renewable energy sources wherever feasible, including the installation of solar panels at 30 schools and heat pumps .
- Constructing new school facilities to meet LEED Silver-certified standards or higher.
- Developing and implementing composting practices at as many schools as possible
- Establishing school rain gardens and permeable surfaces in addition to projects already planned through the Space to Grow program.
46-9.1. Lead Pipe Material.
The BOARD shall work with the City of Chicago to identify and have the City of Chicago remove any lead based pipe material in the City service lines serving CPS facilities. Consistent with CPS’s water quality protocols, CPS will replace fixtures that exceed IDPH lead levels if flushing the fixture does not bring it into compliance.
46-9.2. Facility Work Order Reports.
Starting in School Year 2025-2026, the District shall provide each school with a monthly report of open and closed facility work orders, which will be made available to all staff members.
46-9.3. Asbestos-containing Materials.
The BOARD shall follow state regulations and use best management practices when addressing disturbed or damaged asbestos-containing materials.
46-9.4. Environmental Awareness and Sustainability Resources.
The Joint Green Schools & Climate Change Preparedness Committee shall recommend resources to be made available to teachers across the district on environmental awareness and sustainability.
46-9.5. Carbon-free Buildings.
Any newly constructed CPS school building shall aspire to be carbon-free.
46-9.6. Enhancing Student Mobility.
The BOARD and Union shall continue their collaboration efforts with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Transit Authority to enhance student mobility.
46-9.7. Recycling Program.
The BOARD and the Union, through the Joint Green Schools and Climate Change Preparedness Committee, will continue to seek improvement for its school based and district wide recycling program to minimize paper waste.