Indoor Air Quality Remediation Efforts

Transcription

1 Francis A. Desmares Elementary School Grades K-4 Indoor Air Quality Remediation Efforts Copper Hill Elementary School Grades Pre-K - 4 Barley Sheaf Elementary School Grades K-4 Every Student, Every Day, Every Opportunity Robert Hunter Elementary School Grades K-4 Reading-Fleming Intermediate School Grades #frsd J.P. Case Middle School Grades 7-8

2 Unusual Fungi

3 Unusual Fungi; Just the facts, please. There are more than 100,000 species of fungi to consider and most exposures are mixtures of many fungal genera and species. In other words, there is no established threshold of exposure to cause pathological responses in humans. Mold is all around us; inside our homes and buildings and outside our homes and buildings. We cannot eliminate all mold. In the absence of applicable exposure standards, it is generally accepted that, in mechanically ventilated facilities, the indoor levels of fungi in the air (fungal bioaerosols) should be less than outdoor levels. Indoor levels of microbial, levels of fungi, should be less than outdoors. Unusual fungal conditions or populations or unusual fungal activity or atypical biodiversity are terms used in this report to indicate that the fungal activity identified in sample results is not consistent with the types/species of fungi seen in indoor environments that have not been impacted by uncontrolled water or moisture. Unusual fungal conditions = unusual microbial = atypical biodiversity Reference: Mike McGuiness, Occupational & Environmental Analysis Copper Hill Elementary School Information

4 Unusual Fungi; Just the facts, please. When reviewing the results of any air or surface tests for fungal contamination, it is important to note that there are no specific standards or accepted exposure levels to differentiate between safe or unsafe exposure levels and no Permissible Exposure Levels (PEL s) or Threshold Limit Values (TLV s) exist for exposure to bioaerosols The county health department does not have recommended levels for mold. We reached out to our county health department at the very beginning. There are also no safe or unsafe levels of surface contamination or safe or unsafe levels of occupant exposure. Our district physician, Dr. Elizabeth Raleigh, is working with the district to provide health guidance and plans for students and staff. Reference: Mike McGuiness, Occupational & Environmental Analysis Copper Hill Elementary School Information

5 When was indoor air quality testing initiated and completed at Copper Hill? The first round of indoor air quality testing occurred on the morning of Thursday, August 16th for all classrooms at Copper Hill that were reported to have issues of an indoor air quality that was less than ideal or in classrooms where an occurrence of a suspicious substance was visually substantiated. The first round of results were reported on Friday, August 17th, approximately 24 hours later for all classrooms that visually reported seeing evidence of a suspicious substance. The second round of results for all other indoor spaces at Copper Hill was reported on Sunday, August 19th.

6 What is the status of Copper Hill to date? All rooms have been successfully cleaned; Rarely, unusual fungal populations are seen in any room remediated, but if they are protocols are followed; Air conditioning set at 75 degrees; Teachers no longer have ability to control classroom temperature; The school re-opened on September 3 rd

7 How did we get from August 13 th to September 4 th? Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed August 13 th - (6:30 pm) Notified of mold in Copper Hill August 14 th - Walked the building with administration August 15 th - Met with R.K. Environmentalist and testing began August 16 th - Waiting on test results from Dr. Wei Tang, Ph.D., microbiologist August 17 th - Test results arrived; closed building August 19 th - Letter to CH community August 20 th -August 30 th Professional remediation by ServePro August 31 st - Professional remediation almost completed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Clip art credit:

8 How did we get from August 13 th to September 4 th? September 3 rd Copper Hill cleared for staff re-entry; 17 days later for full building remediation. Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed All rooms have been successfully cleaned with rare sightings of unusual fungal populations seen in any room remediated. Proper protocols are followed. The school can re-open.

9 When was indoor air quality testing initiated and completed at Reading-Fleming Intermediate School (RFIS)? RFIS was the second building to be tested due to the visual confirmation of mold in the very back part of the basement. This occurred on August 16. Following the guidelines of the Environmental Protection Guidelines, (EPA), a containment wall was recommended as the first step in remediation. Surface and air testing; Negative air pressure in back of basement; Lower gym testing negative for all surface and air issues;

10 When was indoor air quality testing initiated and completed at Reading-Fleming Intermediate School (RFIS)? Negative air pressure in back of basement and in two classrooms;

11 At RFIS, how did we get from August 16 th to September 10 th? Basement Closed Basement Closed Basement & Annex/Music Wing & long old hallway Closed Basement Closed & Chorus Room and Small group instruction room closed the rest of the building open to students and staff. August 16 th - Notified of mold in RFIS August 17 th Letter to RFIS Community August 21 st Letter to RFIS Community August 23 rd Testing by R.K. Environmental Received. Basement and other areas closed. August 24 th Test results from Dr. Wei Tang, Ph.D., microbiologist August 24 th September 3 rd - Professional Cleaning August 28 th - Letter to RFIS Community Clip art credit:

12 At RFIS, how did we get from August 16 th to September 10 th? Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed September 3 rd The remainder of RFIS cleared for staff & student reentry, except for rooms 17, 24, and basement area outside the lower gym. Impacted rooms not yet addressed have been isolated with containment and negative pressurization to preclude pollutant transport from dirty rooms to cleaned locations. The school may re-open.

13 What is the status of Reading-Fleming Intermediate School to date? Rooms with unusual fungal populations have been successfully remediated with the exception of rooms 17, 24 and the basement area outside of the lower Gym. The school is fully open and cleared for students.

14 When was indoor air quality testing initiated and completed at J.P. Case Middle School? J.P. Case Middle School was the third building to be tested. This occurred on August 22. We had two areas at J.P. Case; the B Wing, which includes classrooms in our music hallway, and two lecture rooms located next to the auditorium had levels which were slightly elevated. HEPA air scrubbers

15 At J.P. Case, how did we get from August 16 th to September 10 th? August 22 nd Testing began at JP Case Middle School Testing began Music hallway and two lecture rooms closed Results received August 26 th Test results from Dr. Wei Tang, Ph.D., microbiologist August 27 th Letter to JP Case Community August 27 th September 3 rd Air Scrubbing with HEPA air filters Clip art credit:

16 At J.P. Case, how did we get from August 16 th to September 10 th? September 3 rd ; Test results from Dr. Wei Tang, Ph.D., microbiologist Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed September 4 th All of JP Case open to staff. September 5 th - Letter to JP Case Community

17 What is the status of J.P. Case Middle School to date? J.P. Case Middle School has no issues. The school is fully open and cleared for students and staff.

18 When was indoor air quality testing initiated and completed at Francis A. Desmares (FAD); Robert Hunter (RH); Barley Sheaf (BS)? FAD, RH, and BS tests were ordered as part of a pro-active strategic composite sampling to ensure all buildings had air qualities that were deemed safe for students and staff. This decision was pro-active as a precaution. Strategic composite sample tests occurred during the week of August 27 th, with FAD tests occurring after Robert Hunter and Barley Sheaf.

19 How did we get from August 16 th to September 10 th with Barley Sheaf (BS); Robert Hunter (RH) & Francis A. Desmares (FAD)? Testing & Waiting on Testing Results August 23 rd -24 th - Testing began at BS, then RH, then FAD. August 24 th Test results sent to Dr. Wei Tang, Ph.D., microbiologist August 26 th - 27 th - Waiting on test results from Dr. Wei Tang, Ph. D., microbiologist August 28 th - Letter to BS Community August 28 th - Letter to RH Community August 28 th - Letter to FAD Community August 28 th September 10 th - Professional Cleaning at RH, BS, & FAD August 30 th - Letter delaying opening FAD Closed RH and BS have areas to address too. Professional Cleaning by Serve Pro Clip art credit:

20 At FAD and RH; how did we get from August 13 th to September 10 th? Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed September 9 th - Letter to FRSD Community September 11 th - Letter to FRSD Communty FAD; All rooms have been successfully remediated (with the exception of Rooms 2,3,4, and 6 which have been isolated and will be re-cleaned and post-tested until passing clearance. The school may re-open. Robert Hunter ES: Rooms 111 and 125 and the Library are isolated and require additional cleaning and air scrubbing. Once cleaning is complete, PRV testing and assessment will be completed and the rooms may be re-occupied after passing this testing. All other rooms may be re-occupied.

21 At Barley Sheaf, how did we get from August 13 th to September 10 th? Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed Barley Sheaf : Rooms 23, 24, 26, 28, 39, 49 will be tested again to determine the effectiveness or remedial work and will remain "off-limits" until successful results are obtained in testing procedures. Air scrubbers have been set up in Room 36, the Art Room, the Library and the Faculty Room which still exhibit unusual fungal populations and need additional cleaning and addressing Faculty room which showed very heavy growth. All other rooms may be reoccupied.

22 What is the status of Francis A. Desmares (FAD) to date? The school was reopened a little before noon for teachers on Monday, September 10 th and for all students that afternoon.

23 What is the status of Francis A. Desmares (FAD) to date? All rooms have been successfully remediated (with the exception of Rooms 2,3,4, and 6 which have been isolated and will be re-cleaned and post-tested until passing clearance.

24 Costs of Indoor Air Quality Remediation Estimate: $186,979 Cleaning / Remediation (P.O. $186,979.00)- paid $95,000 on 9/5/2018 for FAD Estimate: $162, paid $90,000 on 8/30/2018 for CH RFIS- RH- BS- JP Case- Total: $533, Paid thus far: $220, Estimate: $50,000- Environmental Testing (P.O. $50,000.00)- paid $35, on 8/30/2018 Equipment: HVAC Air scrubbers - $16, Dehumidifiers and equipment- $69, Dehumidifiers $1,000 Supplies $3,500 Supplies $1,000 $85,000- RK Environmental (paid $35, on 8/30/2018) $ - overtime pay facilities

25 Pro-Active Facility Plans Moving Forward: Yearly consult with environmentalist; Dehumidifiers HEPA air scrubbers HVAC monitoring Full report from the environmentalist with recommendations Investigating humidity monitors

26 Indoor Air Quality Remediation #frsd

27 Superintendent Goals Draft 1. Recruit and hire a permanent Director of Pupil Services; 2. Two-way feedback; - Solicits input and keeps others informed with necessary information in a timely manner. 3. Engenders trust with community and staff at FRSD; Demonstrates and practices high standards of personal and professional integrity. Displays honesty and candor. Creates trusting relationships of others. 4. Investigate and further develop district security; 5. Leadership/Influence - Utilizes appropriate interpersonal styles and approaches in facilitating a group towards task #frsd

28 Superintendent Goals to Lead Hunterdon County in STEM Success 1. Communicate with the community the goals in STEM tied to our strategic plan; 2. Build partnerships with higher-education institutions, families, STEM-rich institutions, business communities, out-of-school programs, and local community leaders; 3. Apply to be a New Jersey STEM ecosystem in the fall/winter of 2018, anticipating an award in 2019; 4. National recognition as the 5 th New Jersey STEM ecosystem located in our own Hunterdon County and one of 52 National STEM ecosystems; and 5. Develop and complete a capstone project in #frsd

29 National LEAD STEM New Jersey Representative Kari McGann, Superintendent of Schools in Flemington-Raritan Regional School District in New Jersey, has been selected as one of 20 fellows in LEAD STEM, a national leadership development experience. Over the coming year, McGann will be educated on critical skills to impact current local learning opportunities while shaping the global future of education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics #frsd

30 National LEAD STEM National Representatives Click #frsd

31 Barley Sheaf Elementary School Grades K-4 Principal Ms. Karen Gabruk Welcome New Staff! Robert Hunter Elementary School Grades K-4 Principal, Dr. Kathy Suchorsky Copper Hill Elementary School Grades Pre-K 4 Principal, Ms. Vanessa Ahmed J.P. Case Middle School Grades 7-8 Principal, Mr. Robert Castellano Reading-Fleming Intermediate School Grades 5-6 Principal, Mr. Anthony DeMarco Francis A. Desmares Elementary School Grades K-4 Principal, Ms. Carol Howell Special Services Interim Director of Special Services, Dr. Kathy #frsd

32 We welcome all our new teachers to the Flemington-Raritan team! Images from Pinterest

33 The Flemington-Raritan Regional School District values children. Together we: Foster social, The emotional, Flemington-Raritan Regional and School District academic (FRSD) values children. growth Together we: in a safe Foster social, emotional, and academic growth in a safe and nurturing environment; and Respect nurturing values and traditions environment; within our families and schools; Strive to respond to the needs of our diverse and changing community; and Develop problem-solvers the curiosity who and meet creativity the challenges of critical of thinkers a globally to competitive become collaborative Respect values and traditions within our families and society. schools; Strive to respond to the needs of our diverse and changing community; and Develop the curiosity and creativity of critical thinkers to become collaborative problem-solvers who meet the challenges of a globally competitive society.