Finding Answers

Tips for finding the information you need to answer the START Survey Questions

START covers a wide variety of metrics, and it’s unlikely one person will simply know all the answers. It may take some time, investigation and data-collection before you’re able to answer all of the questions in the Survey.

The tips below are provided as a starting point to help you understand who to ask. NOTE: No two schools are exactly alike, so there may be different processes and point-persons at your school to what’s indicated below*. If that’s the case, we encourage you to share your processes and point-persons with the Green Schools Alliance so that we can continue to improve the guidance we provide for our diverse member schools!

Who can I ask?

Whether you’re collecting information to answer the START survey, or planning to take action to level-up, you’ll need to communicate and/or collaborate with other members of your school.

You may want to invite them to join START to view specific metrics or even answer the questions themselves — that way, they can assess your school’s level of achievement, and may get some ideas about how to make progress.

NOTE: HOW you communicate about START will impact how it’s received, and the level of cooperation you’re likely to get from fellow school members. We recommend reading these Tips for Getting Your School to START before you reach out.

Educational Programs Metrics

For the Educational Programs metrics, a good starting point is to speak with your school’s head of academics/ curriculum coordinator, vice principal or principal.

  • 1. Events

    Principal, Science Curriculum Coordinator, Sustainability Coordinator, Environmental Education Teacher

  • 2. Outdoor Programs

    Physical Education Coordinator, Student Health Services

  • 3. Student Groups

    Principal, Academic Advisors, Environmental Education teacher

  • 4. Student Orientation

    Principal, Grade Heads

  • 5. Course Development Training

    Curriculum Coordinator, Head of Academics, Talent Development Coordinator

  • 6. Course Content

    Curriculum Coordinator, Head of Academics, Subject Heads

  • 7. Outdoor Learning Environments

    Science Curriculum Coordinator, Physical Education coordinator

  • 8. Sustainability Learning Outcomes

    Curriculum Coordinator, Head of Academics, Subject Heads

Organizational Culture Metrics

Organizational Culture spans a wide variety of metrics, and you will likely need to connect with a few different people to obtain the answers you need, or to plan for action.

  • 9. Nutrition

    Nutrition Services Director, School Nurse, Physical Education Coordinator, Health Educator

  • 10. Outreach Campaigns

    Principal, Communications Department

  • 11. Communications

    Principal, Director of Facilities, Communications Department

  • 12. Community Service

    Principal, Academic Advisors

  • 13. Local Partnerships

    Guidance Counselors, Director of Facilities, Director of Communications and Community Relations

  • 14. Governance

    Communications Department, Staff Development Coordinator, Principal

  • 15. Purchasing

    Director of Purchasing, Procurement Officer

  • 16. Strategic Planning

    Principal, Assistant Superintendant

  • 17. Sustainability Committee

    Principal, Assistant Superintendant, Staff Development Coordinator

  • 18. Sustainability Coordinator

    Principal, Director of Facilities

  • 19. Sustainability Planning

    Director of Facilities, Principal, School Board

  • 20. Equity Coordination

    Pupil/Personnel Diversity Director, Talent Development Coordinator

  • 21. Equity Support

    Principal, Counselors, Pupil/Personnel Diversity Director

  • 22. Low-Income Accessibility

    Director of Data Management and Research, Student Support Services Director, Director of Nutrition Services

  • 23. Employee Feedback

    Communications Department, Deputy Principal

  • 24. Employee Training

    Staff Development Coordinator, Director of Facilities, Principal

  • 25. Networking

    Communications Department, Director of Facilities

  • 26. Employee Wellness

    Director of Health Services

  • 27. Physical Activity

    Physical Education Coordinator, Student Health Services

  • 28. Student Wellness Committee

    School Nurse, Counselors, Director of Health Services

Physical Place Metrics

For many of the Physical Place metrics, the best point of contact is likely the school facilities manager.

  • 29. Chemical Management

    Environmental Department, Safety Manager, Director of Facilities, Science Coordinator/Subject-Head

  • 30. Electronic Waste

    Technology Department, Director of Facilities

  • 31. Transition Waste

    Principal, Custodial Supervisor, Facilities Manager

  • 32. Waste Diversion

    Custodial Supervisor, Director of Facilities

  • 33. Waste Minimization

    Custodial Supervisor, Director of Facilities

  • 34. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory

    Director of Facilities, Director of Transportation

  • 35. Greenhouse Gas Reduction

    Director of Facilities

    *Use START’s Analytics feature to benchmark and track reductions.

  • 36. Indoor Air Quality

    Maintenence Manager, Safety Manager, Director of Facilities, Environmental Services Department

  • 37. Outdoor Air Quality

    Director of Transportation, Grounds Department

  • 38. Design & Construction

    Manager of Construction and Planning, Director of Facilities

  • 39. Green Cleaning

    Custodial Supervisor, Purchasing Director

  • 40. Grounds Management

    Grounds Supervisor, Environmental Services Department

  • 41. Energy Consumption

    Director of Facilities

    *Use START’s Analytics feature to track energy use over time.

  • 42. Renewable Energy

    Director of Facilities, Supervisor of Accounting, School Board, Principal

  • 43. Composting

    Director of Nutrition Services, Facilities Manager, Cafeteria Manager

  • 44. Food Procurement

    Director of Purchasing, Director of Nutrition Services

  • 45. Low-Impact Dining

    Director of Nutrition Services, Cafeteria Manager

  • 46. Tableware & Trays

    Director of Nutrition Services, Procurement Officer

  • 47. Employee Transportation

    Principal, Director of Transportation

  • 48. Motorized Fleet

    Director of Transportation

  • 49. Student Transportation

    Principal, Director of Transportation

  • 50. Transportation Support

    Principal, Director of Transportation

  • 51. Drinking Water Access

    Lead plumber, Environmental Services Department, Safety Manager

  • 52. Stormwater Management

    Grounds Supervisor, Director of Facilities

  • 53. Water Consumption

    Grounds Supervisor, Director of Facilities

The Green Schools Alliance sincerely thanks our partners at Missouri Green Schools for their contributions to the information provided here.