Eugene’s newest middle school was made official today, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, Roosevelt Middle School boasts a variety of eco-friendly features.
Note: A previous version of this story said the school's design and energy-efficient features met its LEED Silver certification status. A district spokesperson says actually the building meets or exceeds those standards, but is not LEED certified.
The event opened with some live entertainment from students.
(BRIEF SOUND OF SONG)
Principal Chris Mitchell says Roosevelt gets 25 percent of its power from solar energy. Its design also boasts better heating and cooling retention than the old school, with energy-efficient lighting that meets LEED Silver-level standards. He admits some features startle some folks, namely the rainwater harvesting for the restrooms.
(Laughs) “Well, in the summer, when it doesn’t rain very much, there’s a lot of dust around," begins Mitchell. "So when the first rains come it washes the dust into the collection bin. And that ends up being in our toilets. So people are a little taken aback by brown water in the toilet, but really it’s just dusty water.”
Nearly 60 people attended the ribbon cutting for Roosevelt Middle School….
Woman: “Go ahead.” (SNIP) (CHEERS, APPLAUSE)
…which marks three years since voters approved a bond measure for its construction as well as three other schools.
600 students are enrolled.
