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Catalyzing Environmental Action Through School Board Policy
Room: 208
Time: 10:00am – 11:00am
As the environmental and climate crisis intensifies, local school boards can catalyze an overall institutional culture of sustainability through board policies, regulations, resolutions, and other actions that make commitments to environmental literacy and sustainable and climate-ready school efforts.
This session explores how school board policies can drive meaningful, sustainable change, turning schools into hubs of environmental stewardship that are leveraged as a laboratory for learning. Featuring a panel of speakers from three distinct school districts, attendees will hear their journeys of how policy led to action, and the critical role that the California Green Ribbon program played in providing a roadmap for moving policy into action.
The panel will provide insights into challenges and successes and offer valuable lessons on how to navigate the complexities of policy implementation and community engagement. Attendees will also leave with actionable ideas to bring back to their own districts.
Learning Objectives:
1) Understand the Role of School Board Policies in Environmental Action: Attendees will be able to articulate how school board policies, regulations, and resolutions can serve as powerful tools to promote environmental literacy and foster a culture of sustainability within schools.
2) Identify Key Strategies for Turning Policy into Action: Participants will learn practical strategies for translating board policies into actionable projects, including student-led initiatives and green campus efforts, that contribute to sustainable and climate-ready schools.
3) Leverage the California Green Ribbon Program for Policy Action: Participants will understand the critical role of the California Green Ribbon program as a framework for moving from policy to action, and will leave with actionable ideas to implement similar initiatives in their districts.
4) Evaluate the Impact of Policy on School Environmental Programs: Attendees will gain insights into the challenges and successes faced by different school districts, enabling them to critically assess how policy-driven approaches can effectively support environmental stewardship in their own contexts.
Speakers:
Andra Yeghoian, Chief Innovation Officer, Ten Strands
Leticia Bhatia, Deputy Superintendent of Educational, Services Cabrillo Unified School District
Matthew Belasco, Director of Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation (MOT), Pittsburg Unified School District
Gloria Harwood, Coordinator of Environmental Literacy, Laguna Beach Unified School District
Andra Yeghoian is the Chief Innovation Officer for Ten Strands, a San Francisco Based nonprofit whose mission is to build and strengthen the partnerships and strategies that brings environmental literacy to all California’s students. Andra has over 20 years of experience in education across public and private school systems, nationally and internationally, and has served in a variety of roles, including: County-Level Environmental Literacy and Sustainability Coordinator, Site-Level Director of Sustainability, Secondary Humanities Teacher, Project Manager, Professional Development Facilitator, Adjunct Faculty, and Organizational Consultant. She holds a B.A. in International Relations and a Teaching Credential from UC Davis, and an MBA in Sustainable Systems from Presidio Graduate School, and an Administrative Services Credential.
Most recently, Andra’s work has focused on implementing visionary leadership for a whole systems approach to integrating environmental and climate action across all aspects of K-12 schools: campus and operations, curriculum and instruction, community engagement, and organizational culture. Additionally, under her leadership she has supported school sites, districts, and county offices in achieving honors such as the U.S. Department of Education and California Green Ribbon Award, Bay Area Green Business Certification, and LEED Platinum Certification for New Buildings.
Matthew is the Director of Maintenance, Operations, and Transportation for the Pittsburg Unified School District. Mr. Belasco is currently leading a diverse team, overseeing the daily management of maintenance, safety and custodial services of school buildings and grounds, as well as the bussing and transportation needs for the 10,500 student District. He is working collaboratively with colleagues to institute a Net Zero Energy operation. He has initiated strategic energy management policies and procedures that have saved monies, as well as reduced consumption of natural resources. In the grounds department, he is working at reducing the use of pesticides and chemicals to maintain weed and pest control. Mr. Belasco also has procured a new School bus fleet consisting of Propane and Zero emission, full electric buses.
Mr. Belasco was the former Director of Child Nutrition at Pittsburg Unified, where he received an invitation from the US President’s office to have District students assist with the Fall Harvest of the White House garden with the First Lady. His career has included work at Tracy and Stockton Unified School Districts, Head Start, and private restaurants Overall, he has over 25 years in the Education management field.
Gloria Harwood is the Coordinator of Environmental Literacy for Laguna Beach Unified School District and co-chair of the CAELI District Innovation Hub. With a master’s in environmental studies from California State University, Fullerton, Gloria has led projects focused on air quality and access to green spaces. She plays a role in LBUSD’s sustainability task force, guiding instructional efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
Gloria directs all Green Teams across the district, providing students and staff with opportunities to engage in sustainability projects. She directs professional learning for educators, integrating environmental literacy into classroom practices, while also fostering community partnerships that connect learning with local environmental actions.
Her work expands to mental health and nature connections, place-based learning, and outdoor education, conducting living schoolyard assessments to create sustainable outdoor spaces. Gloria also leads the district’s Green Ribbon Award application, highlighting LBUSD’s environmental achievements. Through her leadership, she ensures that sustainability and environmental literacy are central to the district’s educational mission