Norristown Schools Join 'Pathways To Green Schools' Pilot Program

Philadelphia (CBS) - Schools in Norristown are getting some state help as they work to make their buildings more energy-efficient.

Norristown High School was built in 1973. District officials are working to bring the school's heating and ventilation systems up to 2010 energy-efficient standards.

Enter the state Education Department, which has named Norristown and Pittsburgh as pilot districts for the state's "Pathways to Green Schools" program.

Mike Walsh, the Department's deputy for administration, says that means the state will provide consultants as the Norristown Area School District spends $15 million in federal stimulus money to modernize its school buildings, "They are going to upgrade their building systems, the air handlers, the building energy controls are going to be upgraded and in some cases replaced."

Walsh says as part of the program teachers and students will learn about the environmental benefits of saving energy.

Reported by Mike DeNardo, KYW Newsradio