Embedded Files
Current Testing Status:
- In the October 13th Daily Update, TTI issued a statement clearing WHS, WMS, Oak Knoll and Radix for students to return. At this time TTI has not sent any air sampling test results, besides Holly Glen, to the task force or the Superintendent. TTI will forward their raw data and their final report to the Superintendent and the task force as soon as it is done.
- At this time, TTI is recommending that All Risk perform a cleanup at Whitehall as a precautionary measure after air sampling all rooms. They will expedite this process. Educational contingency plans are being drawn up by the district administration. The District has determined that Open Bible Baptist is not a viable option in case remediation at Whitehall takes longer than a week. Relocating these students to an in-district location is now determined to be the best option. District and building administration will be meeting to iron out the details throughout the weekend and an update will be provided by the task force tomorrow
Isolated Rooms in Schools are as follows, and will be cleaned and re-tested
WHS - D103
WMS - E101 Music Room, 7-8 Library, Auditorium
Radix - 101, 204, 211
Oak Knoll - Nurse’s Office
Whitehall - Entire Building is currently being air tested
- Testing began on Sunday, October 8, 2017.
- Brian Bovio has volunteered to be the member of the committee that touches base with TTI every day to observe and get future updates.
- The Air Lab (EMSL) that our samples are sent to, is backed up due to issues in Florida and Texas and other areas nationally.
- TTI has multiple crews still assessing and sampling the buildings. As the air testing process is completed, and as results come in, TTI is advising All Risk as to the remediation work plan. Remediation includes isolating the room, cleaning the affected areas, air scrubbing for 24 hours, then, while under isolation the area will undergo retesting (which includes a visual inspection and air test). When the area is cleared, it will be released from isolation. TTI is being overly cautious, the owner is going above his standard protocols to quell the concerns of the community.
- Holly Glen began exterior boring October 11 to assess the groundwater levels at that building. Gutters were also inspected. The reason for no activity at Holly Glen by All Risk or TTI is that priority is being given to the other schools in order to get them up and running first. We know Holly Glen will take 3 months, so other schools need to be prioritized. Engineers are currently working on designing a new HVAC unit.
- TTI is inspecting every room in every school throughout the district. Every room has temperature and humidity tested as well. This process includes moving furniture, ceiling tiles and inspecting other systems such as HVAC. They are following IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, Restoration Certifications) protocols. These protocols are the standards by which inspection and cleaning should be done to ensure safety. The weblink is www.iicrc.org .
Healthcare Issues:
- The Health Department has no established standards for this type of issue, but suggests that if parents have concerns, they reach out to their private health care providers.
- In addition, the district recommends that staff who have issues should also contact their health care providers as well as their union representatives.
School Materials
- Teachers’ personal and instructional materials/supplies will be cleaned according to the guidelines of the remediation process.
- Staff can notate in writing a list of any materials that cannot be cleaned by the process or are disposed of and submit this list to the Superintendent's Office. Please copy your union representatives on this request.
Remediation Process
- All materials will vacuumed with a HEPA filter vacuum and then will be cleaned with a mild detergent and dried. This process will be repeated. All air quality will be inspected after the remediation to see if additional cleanings are needed.
Future Air Quality Testing Status:
- Long term, the district is committed to semi-annual Air Quality Testing to be conducted in all buildings.
- These tests will be conducted in both the Spring and Fall.
- Results of these tests will be posted to the district website.
- Please See the current Board Policy on Air Quality below. This policy was adopted by the Monroe BOE on October 2, 2014.
Board of Education Policy on Air Quality (Adopted October 2, 2014):
- 7421- INDOOR AIR QUALITY STANDARDS
The Board of Education will provide air quality for school employees in school buildings that meet the standards established by the New Jersey Department of Labor pursuant to N.J.A.C. 12:100-13.
The Board will designate the Director of Plant Operations or the Superintendent’s designee as the individual, who is responsible to assure compliance with New Jersey Department of Labor standards. The designated person will assure that preventative maintenance programs for heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are implemented and documented and that general and local exhaust ventilation is used for employees working with equipment or products that could reasonably be expected to result in hazardous chemicals or particulate exposure. The designated person shall check to make sure HVAC systems are working properly when the building temperatures are outside of the range of 68 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit and make sure buildings without mechanical ventilation have operable windows, doors, vents, stacks and other portals designated or used for natural ventilation are operational. The designated person will also promptly investigate all employee complaints of signs or symptoms that may be associated with building-related illnesses.
The Board will make sure air quality will be maintained at acceptable standards during renovation and remodeling that results in the diffusion of dust, stone and other small particles, toxic gases or other harmful substances in quantities hazardous to health. The designated person will notify employees at least twenty-four hours in advance, or promptly in emergency situations of work to be performed on the building that may induce air contaminants into their work area.
The designated person will respond to a complaint received by the Department of Labor within fifteen working days of receipt of the complaint.
N.J.A.C. 12:100-13.2 et seq.
N.J.A.C. 5:23
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