Extreme weather is making it more and more difficult for American schools to stay operational. For the first time, the US Department of Education has labeled climate change as a direct threat to schools as power outages due to wildfires, extreme temperatures, and severe storms that can bring down the electrical grid, and leave communities struggling without power for days, become much more frequent.

The increasing uncertainty about weather conditions is driving districts to modernize their facilities to address climate impacts and to become more resilient. While most district leaders already know that school resiliency is directly connected to the core mission, the community at large might not realize how beneficial resilient schools are for all area residents. In fact, resilient and modern facilities will ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for the everyone and help schools be better equipped to support the entire community in times of crisis.

Here’s a look at why modernizing schools to become more resilient is highly beneficial for every community.

What makes a resilient school?

Creating a resilient school means maintaining an uninterrupted and dependable energy supply, even during unforeseen events such as power outages, severe weather conditions, wildfires, and other natural disasters. Energy resilience guarantees the continuous operation of essential services, ensuring that lights remain on and premises are secure no matter the circumstances. With well-planned resiliency measures in place, schools can confidently navigate through any disruption in power supply.

Schools can achieve better resilience by upgrading their facilities with a variety of modern technologies. Upgrades can include installing energy efficient lighting, appliances, and HVAC systems that require less power and use it more efficiently. Resilient technologies can also include on-site renewable energy, battery storage, and microgrid systems to minimize reliance on the grid and maintain power even during large-scale outages. Water-efficient plumbing, drought-resistant landscaping, and building automation systems are other upgrades that improve resiliency by conserving resources.

Schools that can keep the lights on during emergencies can better serve their community

When schools are unable to cope with the unpredictability of weather, the impact is felt beyond regular school hours. During natural disasters and wildfires, schools often serve as community gathering spots. They also operate as essential cooling centers or emergency shelters, not only offering protection but also aiding in the post-disaster recovery process. To serve this purpose effectively, schools require reliable infrastructure that can remain fully operational.

Resilient schools are also invaluable assets for avoiding disruptions to daily life. From providing gathering points for community organizations, continuing adult education, mental health support and financial relief, K-12 schools cater to the basic needs of large swathes of the US population. Consequently, when schools are forced to close due to power outages or extreme heat, it can have wide-reaching negative effects. For example, schools closures mean a loss of meals for kids in between one-fifth to one-third of families. In addition, the loss of childcare has a ripple effect on working adults and their employers, posing unpredictable threats to local economic growth.

Resilient schools are an anchor from which to build more sustainable communities

If the cost of maintaining resilient technologies is a concern, it's important to remember that resiliency improvements also benefit budget stability. Renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions generate recurring energy savings, lowering a school district’s operating costs. And if a school can generate its own energy, it in turn won’t need to purchase as much power off the grid. That’s especially helpful as energy prices become higher and more volatile. In other words, resiliency both improves community outcomes and creates more cost-efficient and sustainable schools.

Studies also show that schools play a vital role in addressing climate change. Outdated infrastructure and inefficient HVAC systems are not only costly to repair, but also significantly contribute to carbon emissions. In California, for instance, schools have been found to contribute nearly 10% to the state’s carbon pollution. Environmentally-friendly schools, with features such as electric buses and de-centralized power systems, have significant potential to decelerate the climate crisis.

In addition, the loss of childcare has a ripple effect on working adults and their employers, posing unpredictable threats to local economic growth.

Community leaders should prioritize climate-resilient schools now

As climate shifts become more rapid and unpredictable, adapting and becoming resilient is imperative for school districts. Failing to act poses far-reaching risks to communities. Floods, extreme heat, and prolonged power outages threaten classroom time and leave schools incapable of meeting communities' needs during an emergency.

It is crucial to address this challenge now and implement effective solutions to ensure a robust education system for future generations. Opportunities abound for school districts of all sizes across the nation to optimize their infrastructure spending, with ample federal funding resources such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill and The Inflation Reduction Act. To learn how many districts are taking advantage of this funding, check out our informative eBook, "5 Steps to Stretch Your Remaining Stimulus Dollars."