Marshall Co. Has First LEED-Certified School In State

Marshall County says they now have the first Leader in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building in the state.

LEED is a mark of "going green." Standards in LEED buildings include being energy efficient and reducing water use.

Architect Thomas Worlledge gave NEWS9 a tour inside the school building to point out the changes made to meet LEED standards.

The new rooftop on Hilltop Elementary is part of what makes the building LEED certified. The color and reflectivity reduce the load on air-conditioning. A weather station was also incorporated in the building to help students learn.

Reducing water consumption is a major component of LEED certification, and Worlledge said he incorporated several ways to cut back. Worlledge also showed updates inside classrooms, including different levels of lighting and windows that sit lower and new floors.

"The flooring in here is actually a rubber floor. It has a recycled content," said Worlledge.

County school officials said the project cost about $9 million to $10 million, and it's worth every penny because it benefits the environment and the students who attend the school.

"When you can build LEED-certified schools, you invest money in HVAC systems that are going to pay dividends for the long haul. It plays right in to tax payers knowing that you're good stewards in the community," said Dave Hall of the Marshall County School Board.

Marshall County is working to be a leader in green schools, and other schools in the county have been planned to be LEED certified in the future.