A Framework for Success at BPS

Barnstable Public Schools is committed to maintaining healthy, comfortable, and safe indoor environments for all students, staff, and visitors.

We have adapted the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Framework into our own BPS IAQ & Mold Prevention Process, which outlines how we prevent, investigate, and address IAQ concerns — especially those related to mold. 

The Six Key Drivers of IAQ Success: The Barnstable Way

1. Organize for Success

At BPS, mold prevention and indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns are overseen by the Facilities Department, which investigates and addresses concerns reported through FlowPath.

1. • Faculty and staff play a vital role as the first-line of defense - promptly reporting concerns and avoiding materials or practices that can create or worsen IAQ problems. 

   • Concerns are reported through FlowPath (work order system).

   •  The Facilities Director / Deputy Director of Facilities serves as the primary points of contact for mold & IAQ concerns. 

   • Custodial staff and building administrators work together to respond to issues, only escalating concerns, as needed. 

2. Keep  Communication Clear and Direct

   • Faculty and Staff who have  Mold & IAQ Concerns should be reported through FlowPath, following the steps outlined in "When to Submit a Mold/IAQ Work Order".

   • Once an issue has been investigated, faculty and staff are informed whether the concern has been resolved or if further action is needed. 

   • If and when testing is performed, results are provided to the Principal(s) and Facilities team form them to share. 

   • Clear, specific reporting helps Facilities respond effectively and ensure that legitimate concerns are address quickly and appropriately. 

3. Routine Walkthroughs & Targeted Follow-Ups

   • Custodial and Facilities staff perform routine walkthroughs daily and monthly to check for leaks, ventilation issues, and other IAQ Concerns. 

   • EnviroMed will also perform routine site visits and walkthroughs quarterly to observe the school, especially areas that were previously impacted by mold to confirm the issue has been resolved. 

   • If a concern is spotted or reported, Facilities will do a full investigation to confirm if testing may be needed. 

   • Issues requiring testing or specialized remediation protocols are escalated to EnviroMed.

4. Proactive Response & Escalation

   • Facilities staff will respond quickly to address issues before they worsen -- e.g. repairing leaks, drying wet areas, routine cleaning, and improving ventilation.

   • Trained custodial staff may clean suspected surface mold up to 10 x 10 square feet if using the cleaned recommended by EnviroMed, per their Mold/IAQ Remediation Training. 

   • Larger areas of mold or toxigenic mold will be addressed by a professional remediation contractor, with post-remediation clearance testing afterwards. 

   • All actions are documented in FlowPath for transparency. 

5. Immediate Solutions & Long-Term Prevention

BPS addresses Mold & IAQ concerns promptly while having systems in place to prevent future problems. This includes:

5. • Immediate actions include drying wet areas, repairing leaks, performing routine maintenance, and adjusting HVAC Systems to restore ventilation.

   • Long-term prevention involves scheduled maintenance, using improved building materials, and planning strategic equipment upgrades. 

   • Proper use and maintenance of HEPA filters, in line with manufacturer recommendations, continues to be a key prevention strategy with measurable IAQ benefits. 

The goal is to solve today's problems while strengthening systems for a sustainable and healthy future. 

6. Ongoing Oversight & Continuous Improvement 

BPS work with our trusted contracted, EnviroMed, to maintain a proactive approach to IAQ and mold prevention. This approach includes:

• EnviroMed conducts routine walkthroughs that include visual inspections, real-time IAQ monitoring, and testing as needed.

• Training on IAQ and mold prevention is ongoing for custodial staff, administrators, and faculty.

• All staff are encouraged to report concerns early through FlowPath so issues can be addressed before they escalate—but only after confirming that all reasonable steps have been taken first (see “When to Submit a Mold/IAQ Work Order”).

• Prevention includes keeping vents clear, maintaining clean workspaces, and avoiding items or products that can impact IAQ (e.g., unapproved cleaning products, perfumes/diffusers, large fabric rugs, etc.).

Everyone plays a role in prevention. By staying organized, communicating clearly, conducting regular walkthroughs, responding quickly to concerns, addressing issues with effective technical solutions, and continuing to improve operations, BPS is building a strong, sustainable approach to healthy indoor air.

Prevention includes simple steps—like keeping vents clear, maintaining clean workspaces, and avoiding items that collect dust and allergens, unapproved cleaning products, perfumes or diffusers, and materials known to accelerate mold growth—that help sustain safe, comfortable learning environments.

With the BPS community working together, we can protect today’s air quality and ensure healthier schools for years to come.

From Strategy to Action: Introducing the Technical Solutions 

Once a school has a strong foundation in place -- through leadership, planning, communication, and assessment -- the next step is to address the specific issues that affect indoor air quality (IAQ). 

Once you have the strategy, it's time to put your plans into place. The Seven Technical Solutions focus on the most common and impactful problem areas in schools. These are places where poor air quality starts, where a team can make a real difference through smart maintenance, material choices, and environmental controls. 

By applying the Seven Technical Solutions with the support of the Six Key Drivers, a school can move from good intentions to lasting results - creating a healthier, safer, and comfortable learning environment for everyone. 

Barnstable’s Seven Technical Solutions for Healthy Indoor Air 

These seven focus areas help Barnstable Public Schools prevent indoor air quality problems before they start and respond effectively when issues arise. They work hand‑in‑hand with our Six Key Drivers to guide daily operations, maintenance decisions, and long‑term planning.

1. Quality HVAC Systems
   Well‑maintained heating, ventilation, and air‑conditioning systems are essential for fresh, clean indoor air. Barnstable has been especially successful in its use of HEPA filtration units, which are cleaned and maintained according to manufacturer guidelines to ensure peak performance. HVAC systems receive regular inspections, filter changes, and airflow checks to meet ventilation standards and keep indoor environments healthy.

2. Moisture and Mold Control
   Water issues are addressed quickly to prevent mold growth. Leaks are repaired promptly, wet areas are dried within 24–48 hours whenever possible, and indoor humidity is kept within the ideal 30–60% range.

3. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
   Pests are managed through preventive measures like sanitation and safe, targeted treatments. This approach reduces the need for broad pesticide use and limits exposure to chemicals.

4. Effective Cleaning and Maintenance
   Custodial teams use district‑approved, low‑toxicity cleaning products and follow consistent cleaning schedules to remove dust, allergens, and debris. Proper maintenance of surfaces and equipment supports overall air quality.

5. Smart Material Selection
   When purchasing supplies or making building upgrades, Barnstable prioritizes low‑VOC, low‑toxicity materials. All chemicals are inventoried and handled according to district safety standards.

6. Aggressive Source Control
   Pollutants are kept out of buildings through proactive policies, such as enforcing no‑idling rules for vehicles, safe chemical storage, and scheduling high‑emission work (like painting) outside of school hours.

7. Energy and IAQ Together
   Energy efficiency and indoor air quality go hand in hand. During renovations or energy upgrades, steps are taken to protect ventilation and control moisture so that IAQ is maintained while improving building performance.

Putting It All Together: Barnstable's Path To Healthier Schools 

At Barnstable Public Schools, maintaining healthy indoor air is a shared responsibility — it takes the combined efforts of Facilities staff, custodians, administrators, faculty, and outside contractors like EnviroMed Services. With clear procedures, consistent action, and open communication, we are building a proactive system for protecting our learning environments.

By following our Six Key Drivers and focusing on our Seven Technical Solutions, Barnstable is able to not only respond to IAQ concerns but also prevent them from developing in the first place. This approach is more than a checklist — it’s an ongoing commitment to:

• Protect the health of students, faculty, and staff

• Maintain comfortable, productive learning spaces

• Support long-term care of our school buildings

Through regular walkthroughs, preventive maintenance, and timely escalation when issues arise, Barnstable ensures IAQ remains a priority across all schools. No matter the starting point, we know that steady, coordinated efforts lead to lasting results — helping us create safe, healthy, and welcoming spaces for our community today and in the future.