Climate Action Committee
Committee Purpose
The Climate Action Committee was established to provide feedback and recommendations as to the establishment of sustainability policies, goals, and practices to reduce waste, carbon emissions, and other factors that may contribute to climate change.
Authority: Advisory to the Superintendent and to the Board of Education.
Establishment: At the regular meeting of the Board of Education on December 14, 2021.
Council Focus for 2023-2024: Board Presentation: July 20, 2023
- Goal 1 - Immediate Action: Join regional organization such as the clean energy consortium for a power purchasing agreement
- Goal 2 - District Plan and Alignment: Develop an official Climate Action Plan aligned with city, regional, and state plans.
- Goal 3 - Student Engagement and Curriculum: Engage in (a) an organization such as Climate Action Pathways and (b) adopt a districtwide design challenge on STEAM and/or climate related topics.
Governance: The Committee is subject to all Brown Act Requirements. You can review a copy of our Brown Act meeting protocols by clicking here. This is a Brown Act Committee and is subject to all provisions thereof.
More About the Committee
Agendas & Reports
Meeting Agenda and Minutes
2024-2025
- September 7, 2024 | Location: Vista Innovation & Design Academy, 740 Olive Ave., Vista, CA 92083 | Time: 5:30 p.m. | Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
- November 29, 2024 | Location: Roosevelt Middle School, 850 Sagewood Dr., Oceanside, CA 92057 | Time: 5:30 p.m. | Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
- March 18, 2025 | Location: Madison Middle School, 4930 Lake Boulevard, Oceanside, CA 92056 | Time: 5:30 p.m. | Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
- May 6, 2025 | Location: Vista Magnet Middle School, 151 Civic Center Drive, Vista, CA 92084 | Time: 5:30 p.m. | Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
Previous year's meeting minutes and agendas can be retrieved below.
2023-2024
2023-2024 Committee Meeting Schedule and Agendas:
- September 19, 2023 | Location: Mission Vista High School, 1306 Melrose Drive, Oceanside, CA 92057 | Time: 5:30 p.m. | Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
- November 28, 2023 | Location: Rancho Buena Vista High School, 1601 Longhorn Drive, Vista, CA 92081 | Time: 5:30 p.m. | Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
- March 19, 2024 | Location: Vista High School, 1 Panther Drive, Vista, CA 92084 | Time: 5:30 p.m. | Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
- May 7, 2024 | Location: Vista Magnet Middle School, 151 Civic Center Drive, Vista CA 92084 | Time: 5:30 p.m. | Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
2023-2024 Subcommittee Meeting Schedule and Agendas:
- January 30, 2024 | Location: Operations Service Center, 1222 Arcadia Ave, Vista, CA 92084 | Time: 4:30 p.m. | Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes (not posted until approved)
2022-2023
- January 24, 2023 | Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
- April 5, 2023 | Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
- May 2, 2023 | Meeting Agenda | Meeting Minutes
Meeting Summeries
The purpose of our meeting summaries is to provide an overview of the history of the topics discussed, actions taken, and recommendations made by the Committee.
- Meeting of May 7, 2024 (Draft)
- Meeting of March 19, 2024
- Climate Action Plan Subcommittee Meeting of January 30, 2024
- Meeting of November 28, 20223
- Meeting of September 19, 2023
- Meeting of May 2, 2023
- Meeting of April 5, 2023
- Meeting of January 24, 2023
Meeting of May 7, 2024 (Draft)
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Minutes (not posted until approved)
Call to Order: 6:12 p.m.
Roll Call
- Committee Members Present: Shawn T. Loescher, Ed.D., Alexis Panchevre, Joe Houde, Karolyn Wasung, Robert Crowell, Robert Johnson, Tracy Mangold, Scott Conley, Danielle Christensen, Janis Jones, Cassidy McCarthy, Mary Moffett, Cipriano Vargas, Jimmy P., RBVHS,
- Guest/Presenters: None
- Quorum: Established
Public Comment
- None
Presentation and Discussion
- Item 4.a. The Climate Action Pathway group (Goal 3) presented their progress on student internships
Activities and Recommendations
- Item 5.a. The Committee accepted the minutes of November 28 and March 19, 2024
- Item 5.b. The Committee reviewed and set dates for the 2024-2025 committee meetings
- Item 4.a. Mr. Crowell presented the 2023-2024 goals and progress made in each area
- Item 4.a. Dr. Loescher led the group in an activity to provide feedback and input on the next steps for making continued progress on the three committee goals for presentation to the Board of Education on July 11, 2024
Adjournment: 7:36 pm
Meeting of March 19, 2024
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Minutes (not posted until approved)
Call to Order: 5:32 p.m.
Roll Call
- Committee Members Present: Shawn T. Loescher, Ed.D., Alexis Panchevre, Joe Houde, Karolyn Wasung, Robert Crowell, Robert Johnson, Tracy Mangold, Scott Conley, Danielle Christensen, Janis Jones, Cassidy McCarthy, Kirk Anne Taylor, Rick McCurdy, Mary Moffett, Rena Marrocco, Cipriano Vargas, Madeleine A., MVHS, Jimmy P., RBVHS, Ahtziri J., RBVHS, Grace N., VHS
- Guest/Presenters: Josh Sino Cruz, Assistant to the City Manager, Vista, Leanne Sloman, RBVHS teacher, Student Interns with the Climate Action Pathways Intern Program
- Quorum: Established
Public Comment
- One speaker from the climate action pathway coalation on how their work aligns with that of the District.
Presentation and Discussion
- Item 4.a-c. Student members presented on their environmental club activities
- Item 4.d-e. Ms.Taylor shared briefly that Climate Action Pathways for Schools
- Item 4.f. The Climate Action Plan (Goal 2) sub-committee presented their process and recommendations for an outline
Adjournment: 7:10 pm
Climate Action Plan Subcommittee Meeting of January 30, 2024
Meeting Agenda
Recommendations presented at the March 29, 2024 meeting in lieu of meeting minutes
Call to Order: 4:30 p.m.
Roll Call
- Sub-Committee Members Present: Shawn T. Loescher, Ed.D., Robert Crowell, Joe Houde, Cassidy McCarthy
- Quorum: Established
Public Comment
- None
Standing/Continuing Items
- Item II.a. Dr. Loescher presented an overview of the July 20, 2023 goals accepted by the Board of Education
- Item II.b. The sub-committee reviewed the climate action plan from the City of Vista
- Item II.c. The sub-committee reviewed the Clean Energy Alliance literature for North County San Diego
New Items
- Item III.a. The sub-committee reviewed the considerations for a Climate Action Plan outline to recommend to the Committee
- Item III.b. The sub-committee came to consensus on making a recommendation on an outline to the Committee
Adjournment: 6:25 pm
Meeting of November 28, 20223
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order: 5:59 p.m.
Roll Call
- Committee Members Present: Anthony Arias, Alexis Panchevre, Joe Houde, Karolyn Wasung, Robert Crowell, Robert Johnson, Tracy Mangold, Scott Conley, Danielle Christensen, Janis Jones, Cassidy McCarthy, Rena Marrocco, Madeleine A., MVHS Julia C., MVHS
- New Member Introductions: Jimmy P., RBVHS, Ahtziri J., RBVHS
- Student Members: Madeleine A., President of the MVHS, Climate Action Group, Julia C., Vice President of the MVHS Climate Action Group
- Guest/Presenters: Maria Gomes, Field Representative, EDCO, Leanne Sloman, RBVHS teacher
- Quorum: Established
Public Comment
- None
Presentation and Discussion
- Item 4.a. Rancho Buena Vista student representatives introduced themselves and shared what their environmental club
- Item 4.b. Ms. McCarty presented her role with the City of Vista for their Climate Action Plan
- Item 4.c. Mr. Wasung presented the VUSD Child Nutrition Services plans to support climate action
Activities and Recommendations
- Item 5.a. The Committee accepted the minutes of September 19, 2023
- Item 5.a. Dr, Loescher presented on Climate Action Plan updates and a sub-committee was formed for additional feedback and input to create a draft outline for the District
Adjournment: 7:30 pm
Meeting of September 19, 2023
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order: 5:39 p.m.
Roll Call
- Committee Members Present: Anthony Arias, Alexis Panchevre, Joe Houde, Karolyn Wasung, Robert Crowell, Robert Johnson, Tracy Mangold, Scott Conley, Mary Moffett
- New Member Introductions: Janis Jones
- Student Members: Madeleine A., President of the MVHS, Climate Action Group, Julia C., Vice President of the MVHS Climate Action Group
- Guest/Presenters: Chirs Speilmaker, Director of Market, Development, EDCO, Jim Ambroso, General Manager, EDCO, Dr. Matt Doyle, VUSD Superintendent
- Quorum: Established
Public Comment
- None
Presentation and Discussion
- Item 4.a. Mr. Crowell shared the recommendations that were presented to the Board of Trustees
- Item 4.b. MVHS Climate Action Group students presented on their groups purpose and goals
- Item 4.c. Mr. Ambroso of EDCO presented on EDCO
Activities and Recommendations
- Item 5.a. The Committee accepted the minutes of May 2, 2023
Adjournment: 7:05 pm
Meeting of May 2, 2023
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order: 5:36 p.m.
Roll Call
- Committee Members Present: Anthony Aria, Alexis Panchevre, Cipriano Vargas, Danielle Christensen, Kirk-Anne Taylor, Robert Crowell, Robert Johnson, Dr. Shawn T. Loescher, Tracy Mangold
- New Member Introductions: Scott Conley, Manager of Operations; Joe Houde, North Climate Change Alliance
- Committee Members Absent: Karolyn Wasung, Rena Marrocco, Mary Moffett
- Guest/Presenters: Dr. Mathew Doyle, Superintendent of Schools
- Quorum: Established with 11 of 14 members present
Public Comment
-
None
Presentation and Discussion
- Item 4.a. Dr. Loescher led a discussion on the topic of a synthesis of ideas of the committee to frame recommendations to the Board of Education
Activities and Recommendations
- Item 5.a. Minutes of April 5, 2023 were accepted
- Item 5.b-d. The Committee came to consensus on making three recommendations to the board:
- Recommendation 1: The District should take an immediate operational action such as joining the Clean Energy Consortium or other power purchasing group to lower the impact of greenhouse gas emissions by entering or renegotiating a clean energy purchasing agreement to maximize the use of renewable energy sources.
- Recommendation 2: The District should develop an official Climate Action Plan during the 2023-2024 school year that is based on an established plan structure such as the City of Vista’s Climate Action Plan strategies, and add strategies specific to the district about curriculum, student engagement, community engagement and outreach, and/or other areas identified during the development of the plan.
- Recommendation 3: The District should (a) retain a service with expertise to actively engage student interns on the topic of climate action such as the Climate Action Pathways for Schools and (b) adopt a districtwide design challenge on the theme of climate action in an existing structures such as the STE(A)M Fair and/or Senior Exhibitions to engage students during the next school year.
- Item 5.e. Committee members Alexis Panchevre and Danielle Christensen will join Dr. Loescher for the presentation recommendations to the Board of Education.
Adjournment: 7:12 pm
Meeting of April 5, 2023
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Minutes (not posted until approved)
Call to Order: 5:35 p.m.
Roll Call
- Committee Members Present: Anthony Aria, Alexis Panchevre, Cipriano Vargas, Karolyn Wasung, Rena Marrocco, Robert Crowell, Robert Johnson, Dr. Shawn T. Loescher, Tracy Mangold.
- Committee Members Absent: Danielle Christensen, Kirk-Anne Taylor, Mary Moffett
- Quorum: Established with 9 of 12 members present
- Presenters: Katie Crider, Nv5; Tracy Mangold, VUSD Director of Transportation
Public Comment
- None
Administrative Matters and Updates
- General Items: Welcome of Alexis Panchevre, community advocate, to the committee. Kaitlyn Elliot-Norgrove, City of Vista, has resigned from the committee due to moving the county office.
- Item 4.a. Minute's of January 24, 2024 were accepted
- Item 4.b. A review of action steps taken since January 24, 2023 were reviewed
Presentation and Discussion
- Item 5.a. Katie Crider, Nv5, the VUSD Solar Project Impacts for 2021-2022
- Item 5.b. Tracy Mangold, VUSD Transportation, VUSD Electrification of the Transportation Flee
Activities and Review
- Item 6.a-c. Dialogue on the review of action plans reviewed and ideation session on possible goal recommendations
Calls for Future Agenda:
- Synthesized listing of possible recommendation items to the Board of Education for committee comment, feedback, and further discussion.
Adjournment: 7:33 p.m.
Meeting of January 24, 2023
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order: 5:37 p.m.
Roll Call
- Committee Members Present: Anthony Aria, Cipriano Vargas, Danielle Christensen, Karolyn Wasung, Kaitlyn Elliot-Norgrove, Mary Moffett, Rena Marrocco, Robert Browell, Dr. Shawn T. Loescher, Kirk Anne Taylor, Tracy Mangold.
- Committee Members Absent: Robert Johnson.
- Quorum: Established with 10 of 11 members present
- Presenters: Kaitlyn Elliot-Norgrove, City of Vista; Kirk Anne Taylor, Climate Action Pathways.
Public Comment
- None
Presentations and Discussions
- Resource Material Reviewed. Framework for the Future 2.0, BP 3510 Breen Scholes, BP 3511d Energy and Water Management
- Item 4.a. Kaitlyn Elliot-Norgrove, City of Vista, City of Vista Climate Action Plan
- Item 4.b. Kirk-Ann Taylor, Climate Action Pathways
Activities and Review
- Item 5.a.
- Item 5.b. Goal Establishment
Calls for Future Agenda:
- Review status of membership additions recommended
- Review other climate action plans from cities and district
- Invite presentations on district transportation
Adjournment: 7:20 p.m.
Membership
Membership
Membership of the Climate Action Committee is covered in the committee charter and is open to those that live, work, and partner with Vista Unified School District.
Current Membership
Current Members:
- Anthony Arias | Vista USD | Manager, Grounds
- Cipriano Vargas | Vista USD | Board of Trustee
- Danielle Christensen | Parent Teacher Association | Parent
- Alexis Panchevre | Community Advocate, Only Losers Liter
- Joe Houde | North County Climate Change Alliance
- Karolyn Wasung | Vista USD | Director Child Nutrition Services
- Cassidy McCarthy | City of Vista | Climate Action Plan Program Administrator
- Mary Moffett | Vista Teachers Association Representative | Teacher
- Rena Marrocco | Vista USD | Board of Trustee
- Robert Crowell | Vista USD | Career Pathways, Coordinator
- Robert Johnson | California School Employees Association Representative | Athletics Grounds Lead
- Shawn Loescher, Ed.D. | Vista USD | Chief Operations Officer
- Kirk Anne Taylor | Climate Action Pathways for Schools | Executive Director
- Scott Conley | Vista USD | Manager, Operations
- Tracy Mangold | Vista USD | Director of Transportation
- Janis Jones | Surfrider Foundation, San Diego Chapter & Rise Above Plastics
- A., Madeleine | Mission Vista High School, Student
- C., Julia | Mission Vista High School, Student
Vacancies
Currently Seeking:
Membership for this committee is currently open. If you are interested in contributing to the efforts of the Climate Action Committee, please write to the committee chair or secretary about how to become a member.
Current Vacancies:
- Parent seats still open
- K-8 student seats still open
- 9-12 student seats still open
Initial Membership
The initial Committee composition for 2022-2023
- Chair and District Supports
- 2 Board Members
- 3-4 District Representatives (Director of Transportation, Director of Child Nutrition Services, )
- 2 Collective Bargaining Representatives (VTA and CSEA)
- 1-2 Teacher Representatives
- 2 Community/City Representatives - Partners
- 2-3 Student Representatives
- 1 Parent Representatives
Meeting Summaries
May 2, 2023
Background: Committee Meeting Summaries
The purpose of the meeting summaries page is to provide an overview of the history of the topics discussed, actions taken, and recommendations made by the Committee.
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Minutes (not posted until approved)
Call to Order: 5:36 p.m.
Roll Call
- Committee Members Present: Anthony Aria, Alexis Panchevre, Cipriano Vargas, Danielle Christensen, Kirk-Anne Taylor, Robert Crowell, Robert Johnson, Dr. Shawn T. Loescher, Tracy Mangold
- New Member Introductions: Scott Conley, Manager of Operations; Joe Houde, North Climate Change Alliance
- Committee Members Absent: Karolyn Wasung, Rena Marrocco, Mary Moffett
- Guest/Presenters: Dr. Mathew Doyle, Superintendent of Schools
- Quorum: Established with 11 of 14 members present
Public Comment
-
None
Presentation and Discussion
- Item 4.a. Dr. Loescher led a discussion on the topic of a synthesis of ideas of the committee to frame recommendations to the Board of Education
Activities and Recommendations
- Item 5.a. Minutes of April 5, 2023 were accepted
- Item 5.b-d. The Committee came to consensus on making three recommendations to the board:
- Recommendation 1: The District should take an immediate operational action such as joining the Clean Energy Consortium or other power purchasing group to lower the impact of greenhouse gas emissions by entering or renegotiating a clean energy purchasing agreement to maximize the use of renewable energy sources.
- Recommendation 2: The District should develop an official Climate Action Plan during the 2023-2024 school year that is based on an established plan structure such as the City of Vista’s Climate Action Plan strategies, and add strategies specific to the district about curriculum, student engagement, community engagement and outreach, and/or other areas identified during the development of the plan.
- Recommendation 3: The District should (a) retain a service with expertise to actively engage student interns on the topic of climate action such as the Climate Action Pathways for Schools and (b) adopt a districtwide design challenge on the theme of climate action in an existing structures such as the STE(A)M Fair and/or Senior Exhibitions to engage students during the next school year.
- Item 5.e. Committee members Alexis Panchevre and Danielle Christensen will join Dr. Loescher for the presentation recommendations to the Board of Education.
Adjournment: 7:12 pm
April 5, 2023
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Minutes (not posted until approved)
Call to Order: 5:35 p.m.
Roll Call
- Committee Members Present: Anthony Aria, Alexis Panchevre, Cipriano Vargas, Karolyn Wasung, Rena Marrocco, Robert Crowell, Robert Johnson, Dr. Shawn T. Loescher, Tracy Mangold.
- Committee Members Absent: Danielle Christensen, Kirk-Anne Taylor, Mary Moffett
- Quorum: Established with 9 of 12 members present
- Presenters: Katie Crider, Nv5; Tracy Mangold, VUSD Director of Transportation
Public Comment
- None
Administrative Matters and Updates
- General Items: Welcome of Alexis Panchevre, community advocate, to the committee. Kaitlyn Elliot-Norgrove, City of Vista, has resigned from the committee due to moving the county office.
- Item 4.a. Minute's of January 24, 2024 were accepted
- Item 4.b. A review of action steps taken since January 24, 2023 were reviewed
Presentation and Discussion
- Item 5.a. Katie Crider, Nv5, the VUSD Solar Project Impacts for 2021-2022
- Item 5.b. Tracy Mangold, VUSD Transportation, VUSD Electrification of the Transportation Flee
Activities and Review
- Item 6.a-c. Dialogue on the review of action plans reviewed and ideation session on possible goal recommendations
Calls for Future Agenda:
- Synthesized listing of possible recommendation items to the Board of Education for committee comment, feedback, and further discussion.
Adjournment: 7:33 p.m.
January 24, 2023
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Minutes
Call to Order: 5:37 p.m.
Roll Call
-
Committee Members Present: Anthony Aria, Cipriano Vargas, Danielle Christensen, Karolyn Wasung, Kaitlyn Elliot-Norgrove, Mary Moffett, Rena Marrocco, Robert Browell, Dr. Shawn T. Loescher, Kirk Anne Taylor, Tracy Mangold.
-
Committee Members Absent: Robert Johnson.
-
Quorum: Established with 10 of 11 members present
-
Presenters: Kaitlyn Elliot-Norgrove, City of Vista; Kirk Anne Taylor, Climate Action Pathways.
Public Comment
-
None
Presentations and Discussions
-
Resource Material Reviewed. Framework for the Future 2.0, BP 3510 Breen Scholes, BP 3511d Energy and Water Management
-
Item 4.a. Kaitlyn Elliot-Norgrove, City of Vista, City of Vista Climate Action Plan
-
Item 4.b. Kirk-Ann Taylor, Climate Action Pathways
Activities and Review
-
Item 5.a. Inntel Committee Membership Review
-
Item 5.b. Goal Establishment
Calls for Future Agenda:
-
Review status of membership additions recommended
-
Review other climate action plans from cities and district
-
Invite presentations on district transportation
Adjournment: 7:20 p.m.
Background
The Climate Action Committee serves as a technical advisory committee for the purpose of developing sustainability policies, goals, and practices to reduce waste, carbon emissions, and other factors that may contribute to climate change. While the Committee was established by Board action on December 14, 2021, meetings were suspended due to the pandemic and the Committee did not start meeting regularly until the 2022-2023 school year.
Related Links
Related Committees
- Asset Management Advisory
- Citizens' Bond Oversight (CBOC)
- Climate Action
- Career Superhighway
In This Section
Contact Us
Our Staff
Assistant Superintendent
Business and Operations Support Services
(760) 726-2170 ext. 92302
Email: shawnloescher@vistausd.org
Danica Reed
Administrative Secretary I
Secretary to the Committee
760.726.2170 ext. 92702
Email: danicareed@vistausd.org
LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 4, 2024