Green New Deal for Public Schools Act of 2023

The Green New Deal for Public Schools Act of 2023 provides federal funding to help public schools, Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools, and schools funded by BIE become climate-resilient and energy-efficient. The bill establishes grant programs for "healthy green retrofits" that convert existing schools or build new ones to meet specific environmental and energy standards (like achieving 30% renewable energy use), with priority given to the 1/3 most vulnerable schools based on CDC SVI rankings. Schools receiving funds must develop resource allocation plans including community engagement, local hiring requirements (with 30% of jobs filled by local residents), and specific energy efficiency targets. The act also includes provisions for hiring additional educators, improving school safety through trauma-informed approaches, and ensuring environmental justice by prioritizing funding for communities disproportionately affected by climate change.