In California, the state's budget has been hit so hard, that the state has shortened the school year to reduce expenses. Yet this is at the expense of the education of future generations of Americans. In following the lead of the new President, the answer may lie in turning schools into greener buildings.

A major expense for most school systems is their energy expense, so it is realistic to conclude that looking at ways to save energy will reduce expenses. Schools in Texas and other states have adjusted their school calendars in accordance with daylight savings time, moving the school start and end dates by a few weeks. Yet it has been proven that daylight savings time does not save energy.

Many older schools, and even newer schools that were poorly constructed, can save energy now by converting their buildings into green buildings with some relatively simple changes.

First, consider installing automatic entrance doors to save energy. Automatic entrance doors, specifically when they are installed with two walk-through doors, can save a considerable amount of energy by keeping more of the heated or cooled air indoors.

Schools can also install replacement windows to save energy. Newer, energy efficient windows are designed to keep considerably more of the heated and cooled air indoors through extra insulation as well as curing air leaks.

Considering ways schools can use energy and considering how solar panels could benefit energy resources any energy analysis program at a school would not be complete.

After a school has fully analyzed and reduced the way it is consuming energy, it should also look at improving the source of energy. The sun is an almost daily source of free energy in many parts of the country, shining its energy down on the school's roof and grounds.

Energy for schools can be harnessed for "free" through Solar Panels. If enough solar panels are installed, in summer months when many schools are closed and energy use is low, the empty school can actually be making money as the solar power starts turning the electric meter backwards and supplying the power company with energy.

While solar panels can be expensive, consider the much more cost-effective kits on the market. Detailed instruction on how to complete the construction of a solar panel are easy enough for even a non skilled do-it-yourself person to complete. The solar panels could be constructed by the school district's maintenance staff, a team of parent volunteers, or even community volunteers.

Adding solar power as a source of energy, schools will in turn save energy and financial resources a ways to both decrease energy consumption.