Highland Middle, Glen Carbon Elementary schools to receive ‘green’ Madison County grants
by Randy Pierce • Highland Middle School and Glen Carbon Elementary School are among the recipients of grant funding support provided through a Madison County program designed to increase environmental awareness, reduce waste, improve air quality, upgrade energy efficiency, conserve water and encourage education concerning related matters.
As approved unanimously by the Madison County Board at its most recent meeting, Highland Middle is getting $2,000 to use for nurturing and growing native plants and classroom sustainability while Glen Carbon Elementary is receiving a like amount for the development of a pollinator garden. They are among 17 schools throughout the county receiving such support; the entire program’s grand total is $52,400 this year.
Established to satisfy state mandates requiring schools to offer environmentally-focused programs, Madison County has been doing this for 36 years after creating the process in 1989 in conjunction with the Illinois Solid Waste Management Act, passed by the state legislature so that such grants could be offered through fees paid by waste haulers at landfills including one located in Roxana and the Milam site, west of Collinsville.
There are currently 64 schools in this program, an increase of 16% over last year’s 55 with an anticipated 32,000 students to participate in it in 2025-26.
The grants provided to the schools are earmarked with the title “green seed” and capped at $2,000 each with these specific funds totaling $29,733.
The money not designated for specific schools but still a part of this grant program includes $5,000 for various competitions and efforts such as contests involving the creation of a recycling poster, the collection of sneakers, clean air bookmarks composting and more, along with various classroom projects and lessons and related supplies.
Another $1,000 has been set aside for continuing education of green school coordinators and $10,167 is going toward an awards program that includes a ceremony and “celebration” kits.
The resolution approved by the county board concerning the awarding of this grant money was brought forward by its building and zoning committee.
