News & Insights
Photo courtesy of: Greg Land
Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) has taken a major step toward a greener future by finalizing its comprehensive sustainability policy, which has now been submitted to the district’s board of directors for approval.
Crafted with B&D’s guidance, the policy sets a roadmap for OUSD’s commitment to sustainable facilities, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility. B&D’s energy and sustainability team worked closely with district leaders to develop a framework that aligns with both OUSD’s educational mission and long-term operational goals.
Community engagement played a critical role in shaping the policy. B&D’s Communications and Public Engagement team spearheaded an outreach strategy that leveraged local networks to ensure broad participation. A public survey, designed to gather insights from stakeholders across the district, received over 600 responses—helping to shape the plan that will put the policy into action. In addition to conducting the survey, B&D collaborated with OUSD to produce a promotional video, update the district’s website with key sustainability resources, and develop a community engagement roadmap to guide ongoing dialogue and implementation efforts.
“We are incredibly proud to have partnered with OUSD on this important initiative,” said Hannah Press, project manager on B&D’s sustainability team. “This policy is a testament to the district’s commitment to sustainability and community-driven decision-making. By engaging students, teachers, and families throughout the process, we’ve helped deliver a clear roadmap for advancing environmental goals while strengthening learning environments for future generations.”
More details on OUSD’s sustainability initiative can be found on their website.
