IAQ Tools for Schools
Find an IAQ Champion
EPA Region 5 Contact
Jeanette Marrero
Email: Marrero.Jeanette@epa.gov
Phone: (312) 886-6543
Address: 77 West Jackson Blvd., Mail Code (AT-18J), Chicago, IL 60604-3590
Region 5 IAQ Champions
Illinois | Indiana | Michigan | Minnesota | Ohio | Wisconsin
Illinois
East Dubuque Community Unit School District #119, East Dubuque, Ill.
Contact:
Don Loeffelholz, donloeffelholz16@yahoo.com
In fall 2000, the superintendent and maintenance director for East Dubuque Community Unit School District began conducting IAQ Tools for Schools walkthroughs in their school buildings. In May 2002, the team expanded to include the school nurse, home economics teacher, bus driver, cooks, art teachers, science teachers and custodians. The nurse currently collects data on asthma-related visits to her office, which will be used to determine trends in asthma and other IAQ-related illnesses in the district before and after IAQ improvements. With the support of the school board, the team has successfully responded to IAQ issues in the school district and networks with other schools in the region to promote their program.
IL Education Association IAQ Task Force, Springfield, Ill.
Contact: Amy Courson-Brock,
amy.courson-brock@ieanea.org
The Illinois Education Association IAQ Task Force advocates for healthy school environments across the state. The Task Force educates administrators, facilities management workers, teachers, nurses and principals about the importance of healthy indoor environments and highlights the IAQ Tools for Schools Six Key Drivers as the gold-standard approach in effective IAQ management. Each year, members of the Task Force speak at a variety of local and state meetings and conferences, provide materials to school districts across the state, and encourage these districts to implement an IAQ management program based on the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance.
Naperville Public School District, Naperville, Ill.
Contact: Tom Malamos,
tmalamos@ncusd203.org
Naperville Public School District decided to implement an IAQ management program based on the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance to help improve resolution of IAQ issues and complaints of flu-like symptoms. The district used the Action Kit as a starting point, adding a teacher survey, developing a flow chart to organize complaint procedures, regularly reporting to the School Board and other initiatives. The district has steadily gained positive media coverage of its efforts.
Indiana
Art Henderlong, Indiana State Teachers Association, Merrillville, Ind.
Contact: Art Henderlong,
ahenderlong@ista-in.org
Art Henderlong has been instrumental in ensuring that IAQ in Indiana's schools is conducive to teaching and learning. Art has been involved in educating students for more than 20 years — first as a high-school science teacher and now as a nationally-recognized advocate for children and good IAQ in schools. Henderlong's work stresses the importance of collaboration with local, state and national agencies to foster action. As a UniServ Director for the Indiana State Teachers Association, Henderlong represents seven school districts, 43 schools and 1,300 members across the state. At the state level, Art has forged partnerships with EPA Region 5, the Indiana Department of Environmental Protection and other agencies that have helped raise awareness and supported action through education, trainings and other outreach efforts.
Michigan
Contact your Regional representative to find an IAQ Champion in your state.
Minnesota
Dale Dorschner, Minnesota Department of Health
Contact: Dale Dorschner,
Dale.Dorschner@state.mn.us
Dale Dorschner, a Minnesota Department of Health employee, provides statewide support for the IAQ Tools for Schools approach. He consistently provides expert technical IAQ-related advice, offers specialized support, and conducts trainings for schools and districts throughout the states of Minnesota and Washington.
Elk River Area Schools (Independent School District 728), Elk River, Minn.
Contact: Tom Baranick, thomas.baranick@elkriver.k12.mn.us
Elk River Area Schools have been pioneers in IAQ program design and maintaining healthy schools. They have implemented proactive IAQ management practices by providing annual reminders to all staff about how to register IAQ concerns and conducting regular walkthrough inspections of the school facilities. Elk River has emphasized research and resource development, and their efforts were the subject of a University of Minnesota School of Medicine study that measured the carbon dioxide reduction and health effects of improved ventilation on students and staff. With support from the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, the district created a guidebook for school board members.
Mankato Area Public Schools, Mankato, Minn.
Contact: Joe Meixl,
jmeixl1@isd77.k12.mn.us
Mankato Area Public Schools has engaged the entire staff in the process of identifying and resolving IAQ issues. In addition to a convenient and efficient complaint process, the district sends an annual survey to each employee, thereby drawing attention to situations that had yet to generate complaints or illness. The districts training process is just as thorough. All administrators and principals receive an annual overview of the IAQ program, while frontline personnel receive detailed updates.
New Ulm Public Schools, New Ulm, Minn.
Contact: Scott Hogan,
shogen@newulm.k12.mn.us
After carpeting upgrades adversely affected air quality and student health, New Ulm Public Schools established a district-wide IAQ program that involved staff, students and unions. The program, which made good air quality in the learning and teaching environment a policy priority, is regarded as a national model for rural school districts with limited means.
Rochester Public Schools, Rochester, Minn.
Contact: Tod Rogers, torogers@rochester.k12.mn.us
Since 1995, Rochester Public Schools has maintained high standards of IAQ by implementing a major maintenance plan. This plan helped the district plan roof, window, carpet, floor tile, and mechanical replacements and upgrades in order to keep buildings in good operating condition. Rochester Public Schools has not experienced any major IAQ problems due to their proactive and well-planned preventive maintenance program.
Wayzata Public Schools, Plymouth, Minn.
Contact: Rodger Schaefbauer,
rodger.schaefbauer@wayzata.k12.mn.us
After dealing with asbestos, mold and other issues, Wayzata Public Schools distributed staff surveys and completed IAQ testing to demonstrate to the community that IAQ has a significant impact on student safety and staff health. With the help of the IAQ coordinator, the district launched an IAQ management plan. This leadership, combined with the dedicated health and safety team and senior level support for the program, ensures that the district's IAQ management program is integrated and included in the annual budget. In addition to a detailed IAQ management plan being reviewed yearly, district staff or a vendor conducts annual building walkthrough assessments. To respond to IAQ concerns, the IAQ coordinator investigates each staff concern, while repair and follow-up are conducted through the district's work order system embodying the team approach.
Ohio
Barbara Johnson, Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA), Columbus, Ohio
As an Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics Outreach Service volunteer, Johnson helped change attitudes about IAQ in schools in her community. Barbara's creative thinking, determination and patience enabled her to bring the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance to schools with IAQ issues in her area and help them realize the value and benefits of healthy indoor environments for students and staff.
Delaware Joint Vocational School, Delaware, Ohio
Delaware Joint Vocational School implemented an IAQ management program using the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance to address humidity, carpet maintenance, chemical use and storage, and water intrusion issues. Working with the Delaware General Health District and the Ohio Department of Health, the school organized an IAQ team representing staff from all levels. They then modified the checklists provided in the Action Kit to meet the specific needs of a vocational school setting comprised of several laboratories and wood working areas. Team members completed checklists and made suggestions to improve building air quality. The IAQ Coordinator presented the team's IAQ management plan and the school's success with IAQ Tools for Schools at Board of Education meetings and statewide conferences. Delaware Joint Vocational School continues to use the resources provided in the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit to help team members identify facility problems, make repairs, and address staff concerns for better communication and a healthier school environment.
Huber Heights City Schools, Huber Heights, Ohio
Contact: David Manning,
David.Manning@huberheightscityschools.org
After attending seminars on IAQ Tools for Schools sponsored by the Ohio Department of Health and the American Lung Association, the district's maintenance supervisor met with the Safety Committee to communicate the importance of good IAQ. After the school board approved implementation of the Action Kit, the maintenance department organized a kickoff meeting and received positive recognition from local media. The maintenance supervisor organized an IAQ Team at each school and conducted workshops to train staff. The IAQ teams participated in walkthroughs and completed checklists to help maintenance staff identify problems. Several low-cost solutions were implemented, including installing ventilator filters to capture more contaminants, using anti-bacterial tablets to inhibit mold and mildew growth in HVAC coils, removing carpet and installing tiles, fixing or replacing exhausts and vent fans, and replacing spray pesticides with baits and traps for better pest management.
Mayfield City School District, Mayfield Heights, Ohio
Contact: Frank Sever,
fsever@mayfieldschools.org
Mayfield City School District designated an IAQ Coordinator to address its concerns. By using the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance, the district was able to take steps to create a healthy learning environment for all students and staff. The steps taken included: comprehensive training for custodial staff; an anti-idling policy for school buses; an integrated pest management initiative; and regular meetings with teachers, who learned how to complete the IAQ Tools for Schools checklist for each of their classrooms. The district's program relies on strong collaboration between the administration, building operations and maintenance personnel, and the teachers union. This has resulted in improved awareness, communication and commitment to IAQ, as well as increased trust, confidence and pride throughout the school system.
Perkins Local Schools, Sandusky, Ohio
Contact: Eugene Kidwell,
kidwell@perkins.k12.oh.us
After a mold contamination issue, Perkins Local Schools turned to the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance to complete mold remediation, rebuild community and student trust, and create a healthy learning environment for students and staff. The district established an IAQ newsletter and opened IAQ committee meetings to the press. Perkins Public Schools cooperated with Erie County and the Ohio Department of Health to customize their walkthrough checklists and adapt the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit for the needs of the district.
West Carrollton City School District, Delaware, Ohio
Contact: Dana Green,
dgreen@wcsd.k12.oh.us
Starting with top management, West Carrollton City School District is fundamentally committed to good IAQ. The Board of Education established five district goals, one of which was "to continuously provide for a healthy/safe learning/working environment." The district follows up on each IAQ complaint by interviewing the complainant before and after the problem has been addressed. The results speak for themselves: one school experienced a 12.2 percent decrease in absenteeism in one year (8.6 percent district wide). West Carrollton is becoming known as a regional resource for IAQ management.
Wisconsin
Greendale School District, Greendale, Wis.
Contact: Erin Green,
erin.green@greendale.k12.wi.us
Greendale School District used the Indoor Air Quality IAQ Tools for Schools guidance as a guide to improve their maintenance program. The IAQ program strategy includes IAQ trainings, regular duct system cleaning, inspection of roofing materials and replacement and repair to reduce risks, and facility inspections throughout the year to identify IAQ risks early. Greendale's commitment to healthy school environments has evolved into a holistic approach to environmental management. The district implemented policies to improve and protect outdoor air quality in areas that children frequent, including relocating school bus loading areas farther away from schools, limiting bus idling time and initiating a recycling program. Funds saved from these environmental management practices have remained in custodial budgets and are used for IAQ preventive maintenance efforts.
Kenosha Unified School District #1, Kenosha, Wis.
Contact: Kevin Christhoun, kchristo@kusd.edu
With two new maintenance staff members and a pre-existing environmental crew, Kenosha Unified School District No. 1 incorporated the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance into its regular maintenance regimen. After developing IAQ guidelines the crew started an air monitoring program to ensure that occupied spaces met American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) ventilation standards. To ensure proper communication, results are posted online and emailed to all parties involved. A work order system helps the crew stay abreast of IAQ problems and respond quickly. The district also adopted an integrated pest management program in combination with animal control and hazardous chemical policies to further mitigate IAQ risks. District custodial staff members developed numerous presentations given statewide on all topics related to IAQ. Putting that knowledge into practice allows the district to continuously assess and track IAQ metrics. Since the launch of the IAQ program, year-to-year attendance rates have risen while the number of IAQ complaints has decreased.
Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee, Wis.
Contact: Michael R. Gutierrez, gutiermr@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) established an IAQ committee to address aging facilities. The MPS Facilities Division augmented its existing air quality activities with the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance. The district administration has utilized grant monies from EPA Region 5 to facilitate health fairs and teacher training on IAQ issues. Teachers have been participating in a classroom survey pilot program in conjunction with Fight Asthma Milwaukee. The result has been a sense of empowerment by the teachers and staff to take charge of their own indoor environments to reduce air quality incidences, promote good will, and, in turn, reduce absenteeism.