Lady Bird Johnson Middle School
Irving, located within the boundaries of Dallas County, is getting on the zero energy action in 2011. The city has a new middle school opening in its Irving Independent School District, and the school is set to be the largest zero energy public school in America. The school, Lady Bird Johnson Middle School, is set to open in April 2011. The school’s unique name comes from former First Lady and Karnack, Texas native Claudia Alta Johnson, wife of 36th President Lyndon Baines Johnson.The school boasts numerous innovative and technologically advanced features to help it offset its energy usage, including:
- Solar panels for solar power
- High-efficiency glazing
- Geothermal energy harvesting technology
- Wind turbines
- Advanced insulation
- A kitchen which meets Energy Star standards
It’s possible that the 29 million, 150,000 square foot facility will actually produce more energy than is necessary to offset its energy usage. If this is the case, the school could sell its spare energy to a local provider, helping to provide additional revenue for the facility.At Lady Bird Johnson, though, it’s not enough for students to simply use the school’s zero energy facilities. School administrators intend for the students to learn as they go, and an on-site laboratory will help to achieve that goal. Programs at the lab will tackle the scientific and technological background of the school in addition to discussing the implications of alternative energy in society.The name for the new school was chosen by students at Davis Elementary School, who are likely to be in attendance at the school after graduating. The students also chose an eagle as the mascot, with green and blue as the school colors.The installation of the school’s underground utilities, along with geothermal well drilling, was completed in November 2010. In addition, the foundation concrete had been installed, and 95 of site work grading had been completed, at that time.You can take a virtual campus tour of the school at the Lady Bird Johnson Middle School website, locatd on the Irving ISD website. Angie Gaylord, principal of Crockett Middle School, was named principal of LBJMS back in August of 2010. The school is sure to be a great example for zero energy advocates everywhere, and may even encourage some moves among current Dallas inhabitants.