New DeKalb school needs principal who’s green

Back in February — a year after construction crews broke ground — DeKalb County posted what officials tout as one of the premier jobs of the public school system: principal of the new Arabia Mountain High School.

Set to open next August, the high school will be one of Georgia’s first public school campuses certified under a national rating system for environmental construction and one of the few — if not only — with an environmentally themed curriculum.

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John Spink/jspink@ajc.com

The bricks and stone come from places no more than 500 miles away to minimize fuel consumption.

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John Spink/jspink@ajc.com

Arabia Mountain High School is designed to meet standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. Construction costs are 1 to 2 percent more than usual, but it is expected to save 20 percent in annual operating costs in its first five years.

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Thursday, system officials find out who wants the principal’s job as they begin to review at least 109 applications from across the country.

THE CAMPUS

The school was designed to meet stringent LEED — which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design — standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. Construction costs for the approximately $40 million campus were 1 to 2 percent more than a regular campus. However, it is expected to see a 20 percent savings in annual operating costs in its first five years. Waterless urinals and sensors on sinks control water usage. The bricks and stone come from places no more than 500 miles away (to minimize fuel consumption). And while glass will let in natural light in every space, the building itself faces north-south to reduce energy use.

THE JOB

The number of applicants may sound like a lot until you consider DeKalb County gets as many as 200 for a regular principal’s opening. But this isn’t a typical job. Not only is the campus itself green, but its principal will be responsible for integrating environmental studies into every aspect of the academic program. “We’re looking for someone with a science and math background,” said Frankie Callaway, DeKalb’s deputy superintendent for school administration.

THE OUTDOORS

The campus also has three outdoor classrooms and a greenhouse and sits near trails leading to the federally recognized Arabia Mountain national heritage area, which comprises thousands of acres of protected green space. In addition to its green credentials, the school will relieve severe crowding at nearby high schools in this fast-growing area of DeKalb County.

GOING FOR GOLD

DeKalb’s stated goal is for the campus to meet the building council’s “silver” LEED certification. The project has gone so well, said Patricia Pope, the system’s chief operating officer, that they may well aim for higher recognition. “We’re trying to go ‘gold,’ ” Pope said. Construction is expected to be finished by >the end of the month. “We recycled over 99 percent of items on site,” Pope said.

WHAT’S NEXT

The school’s first principal is expected to be hired by early September. By January of next year, a training program will be in place to educate staff about environmental education. DeKalb will host an opening ceremony in April. The first day of school will be Aug. 10, 2009.