DeKalb County officials Friday unveiled what is likely the most comprehensive plan among school systems in Georgia to go "green" with environmentally friendly practices.

All of the system's 144 schools would feel the plan's effects, which include water conservation — low-flow toilets and urinals would eventually be installed at every school — energy efficient lighting and a comprehensive recycling program.

"When we grew up, the three R's were reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic," said schools Superintendent Crawford Lewis as he unveiled specifics about the plan, which will take up to 10 years to implement. "Today, the three R's are reduce, reuse and recycle."

Patricia Pope, the system's chief operating officer, estimated the plan will eventually save DeKalb millions, although much of that money will in the short run be used to pay for the upgrades.

The system will also have to spend money at the outset to get the plan going.

The plan includes:

• Installing faucet aerators in schools starting this school year, with all schools retrofitted with low-flow plumbing fixtures no later than 2019. Cost: $9.9 million. Savings: $692,000 annually upon completion, not including fewer man-hours to fix the system's currently aging infrastructure.

• Replacing existing lighting systems with more energy efficient ballasts and bulbs, as well as using occupancy sensors. Cost: $33.3 million, with funds coming from the local "priority" lists paid for by the county's one-cent-on-the-dollar sales tax for school construction. Savings: $2.3 million annually.

• Recycling paper, newspapers, magazines and Styrofoam lunch trays, as well as a concerted effort to purchase recycled products including paper, railroad ties and roofing shingles. Savings: $227,000 annually.

Pope also said the system is incorporating so-called "green" construction practices into its entire building program. DeKalb already is building the first LEED-certified public school in Georgia. That school, Arabia Mountain High School, is on-schedule to open in August 2009.