IAQ Tools for Schools
Find an IAQ Champion
EPA Region 6 Contact
Stacy Murphy
Email: murphy.stacy@epa.gov
Phone: (214) 665-7116
Address: 1445 Ross Ave. (6PD-T), Dallas, TX 75202-2733
Region 6 IAQ Champions
Arkansas | Louisianna | New Mexico | Oklahoma | Texas
This information will be updated, so please check back. The page was last updated on April 24, 2012
Arkansas
Contact your Regional representative to find an IAQ Champion in your state.
Louisianna
Recovery School District of Louisiana, New Orleans, La.
Contact: Tiffany Delcour, tiffany.delcour@rsdla.net
Hurricane Katrina damaged 80 percent of the Recovery School District's (RSD's) facilities, causing $1.8 billion in damages and a slew of IAQ problems. But the issue of IAQ didn't start with Katrina, it began with deferred maintenance costs before the storm. After Katrina, RSD created a district-wide, master rebuilding plan encompassing all aspects of the renovation process — including how to tackle the issue of IAQ. As part of the master plan, RSD used the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance to implement a specific IAQ strategy tailored to the district's needs. Not only did RSD establish an air quality team at each school, RSD also implemented recommended guidelines, prioritized remediation issues, employed focused preventative maintenance strategies, and reached out to community organizations and leaders for mentorship and support.
New Mexico
Contact your Regional representative to find an IAQ Champion in your state.
Oklahoma
Contact your Regional representative to find an IAQ Champion in your state.
Texas
Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District, Carrollton, Texas
Contact: Victor Melton,
meltonv@cfisd.edu
The Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District recognized that managing IAQ was critical to ensure the health and safety of school building occupants. In 2002, the district developed a TEAMS (Tools for Schools, Energy, Asbestos, Moisture Management, Safety and Security) approach to managing school environments and established a team to identify and address health and safety issues. IAQ Tools for Schools was instrumental in helping the district develop policies and educational tools within the TEAMS framework. One of the most inspiring aspects of the TEAMS approach is that it is not sustained through mandated policies; TEAMS is a concept that exists to educate and explain items that can negatively impact the learning environment. Principals and campus leadership can then establish policies to suit the needs of their students. It is because of this integrative approach that faculty and campus leadership take full program ownership and ensure its continued implementation.
Cypress — Fairbanks Independent School District, Houston, Texas
Contact: Tammy Blankenship:
tammy.blankenship@cfisd.net
Cypress-Fairbanks (Cy-Fair) is one of the 50 largest school districts in the country and is located in a climate that can promote mold growth and other IAQ hazards. Cy-Fair has met its challenges by developing significant in-house expertise. For example, 17 employees trained in mold assessment and remediation saved the district funds by doing mold remediation in the summer while building up the team's skills. By applying the full range of IAQ Tools for Schools recommendations, this program has established credibility and confidence in the district's ability to address IAQ issues. Teachers, staff, parents, and administrators know their IAQ concerns are heard and acted upon in an effective and timely manner.
Eanes Independent School District, Austin, Texas
Contact: Laura Santos-Farry,
lfarry@eanesisd.net
Eanes ISD encountered IAQ problems seven years ago when facilities staff received reports of poor air quality in certain schools. Immediately, district staff relied on the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit's Problem-Solving Wheel to detect IAQ problems, including poor ventilation, water damage, and foul odors. Staff attended workshops and seminars addressing IAQ issues, which helped guide the formation of the district's IAQ Management Program and Team. The IAQ Team currently shares updates on the district's IAQ improvements via the internal staff newsletter and discusses issues during faculty and parent association meetings. In the spring of 2002, Eanes ISD approved a $67 million bond issue to renovate schools and upgrade equipment and maintenance practices for better air quality and ventilation. The district continues to be proactive in addressing concerns and is committed to sustaining their IAQ management program to improve the condition of school facilities.
El Paso Independent School District, El Paso, Texas
El Paso Independent School District responded to mounting indoor air quality concerns during the 1998/99 school year by implementing IAQ Tools for Schools guidance. It used information from the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit to establish a district-wide (72 of 84 school campuses) air quality survey, response, and problem prevention program. The district reports that IAQ Tools for Schools enabled a highly organized, logical response to indoor air quality issues that fostered teamwork and a sense of mission district wide, resulting in a higher quality learning environment.
Fort Bend Independent School District, Stafford, Texas
Contact: Bill Steber,
Bill.Steber@fortbend.k12.tx.us
Fort Bend Public School District worked hard to overcome problems with communication and bring representatives from across the school community embrace the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance. For example, each school sent an IAQ fact sheet in English and Spanish to parents. IAQ information pamphlets are available at front offices and clinics, while teachers can complete their checklists on line. Two district IAQ coordinators manage IAQ management efforts in each school. Fort Bend has overcome hurdles of communication and organization to build an effective IAQ program. Today, Fort Bend assists other districts with communications issues related to IAQ.
Katy Independent School District, Katy, Texas
Contact: Peggy Caruso,
peggylcaruso@katyisd.org
Katy Independent School District continues to step up its commitment to IAQ since winning the National Excellence Award in 2005. An indoor air quality specialist heads its Environmental Department, and leads a ten-member team responsible for investigating any complaint within 24 hours and following up until resolved. Many other personnel have been trained to look for potential IAQ problems in the course of their routine duties. The district has developed an IAQ training manual, with program procedures and other guides continuing to be written. Three years after Katy ISD established its program, voters in the district passed a bond issue that financed new roofs and waterproofing for 15 schools. The return on investment can also be affirmed through standardized test scores, where Katy ISD students consistently outperform both their state and national peers. As the district continues its tremendous growth, IAQ is an established part of the culture.
Keller Independent School District, Keller, Texas
Contact: Frank DiNella, frank.dinella@kellerisd.net
A decision was made in 2007 to incorporate the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance into all campuses in the Keller Independent School District. This effort was made in response to the district's desire to address student health and academic performance. School nurses are highly regarded in the district and were designated as the eyes and ears of the IAQ Team at each school. The IAQ program features a strong asthma management component, including changes to the physical buildings, such as removing all carpeting from classrooms and utilizing green cleaning products. Using tools, such as School Dude, an online work order system, and HealthySEAT, also assists the district in proactively managing IAQ risks. A dedicated IAQ technician helps not only assess the indoor environments, but also assists in communicating with the local PTA and staff about the district's IAQ efforts. Newsletters, websites, health fairs and written guidance make up just a few of Keller Independent's communication methods. The district also has implemented a comprehensive evaluation system, where annual surveys of all campus administrators are conducted to obtain feedback on the IAQ program.
North East Independent School District, San Antonio, Texas
Contact: Diane Rhodes,
drhode@neisd.net
Since North East Independent School District received the IAQ Tools for Schools National Excellence Award in 2008, it has engaged in a rigorous effort to institutionalize its IAQ management plan. As a part of this process, the district revised its custodial services management practices, implemented a green cleaning program and developed a "Campus Analysis" internal accountability system to integrate independent school and student databases into one data analysis system to be used in strategic planning. Just as significant, the district moved 202 classrooms that were once held in portable buildings into brick framed permanent two story classroom buildings. North East consistently communicates with both internal and external audiences about healthy indoor environments. In order to educate students about asthma management and indoor environments, IAQ curriculum is now integrated into a year-long 'Healthy Lifestyles' freshman health course. The district's IAQ management plan also features a comprehensive health data reporting system.
Peggy Caruso, Katy Independent School District, Katy, Texas
Contact: Peggy Caruso,
peggylcaruso@katyisd.org
Though Peggy Caruso has served as the Assistant Director of Maintenance and Operations, Environmental Department, at the Katy Independent School District (KISD) for the past six years, she has been involved with IAQ Tools for Schools since 2000. Peggy is a strong champion for IAQ management and has set up IAQ Tools for Schools in KISD, as well as in her previous district. Peggy partnered with the American Lung Association and Texas Department of State Health Services to educate others about utilizing IAQ Tools for Schools in their schools. Thanks to her efforts, KISD, which received EPA's Model of Sustained Excellence Award in 2007, continues to promote and fund the IAQ management program. KISD recently funded a $10 million bond for building envelope projects.
Plano Independent School District, Plano, Texas
Contact: Bruce Larson: Bruce.Larson@pisd.edu and Tony Pearson:
Tony.Pearson@pisd.edu
After the facility department spent $60,000 to eliminate mold contamination from a rented facility used for an early childhood center, district administrators realized the importance of a proactive approach to IAQ issues. IAQ Tools for Schools, supported by top-level management from the very beginning, was the driving force for their IAQ management plan. Their support began at a principal's meeting in December 2001, in which the Deputy Superintendent committed to implementing the Action Kit. Facilities staff posted electronic versions of the building inspection checklists on the district's Intranet site and regularly reported public IAQ updates on the district's website. The district developed a software program to analyze data collected from building checklists and walkthrough inspections. Facilities staff are progressively developing the IAQ program as a tool to implement and support the Preventive Maintenance Program and continues to receive the support of the district administrators for large IAQ projects.