This article weaves the stories of the success Proposition 39 (Prop 39) is having across California. The dedicated funding for energy efficiency and school retrofits has sparked attention and helped to more closely integrate educational and work-force development objectives with operational and energy efficiency practices. Now that these Prop 39 projects are coming online, the benefits are becoming clear – with good equipment, optimized operation, and a culture of energy conservation, school districts can not only achieve big cost savings, but also improve the learning environment for students, provide educational opportunities, and create jobs. This is an important and replicable lesson for schools in California and across the country.