IAQ
IN SCHOOLS: NEA MEMBER
PROFILES
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NEA members have been very active in addressing IAQ issues. We
first profiled NEA members’ activities in Volume 3 of The Source.
Since then, we have had an enthusiastic response from members who
have initiated or are continuing action on IAQ. The following are
examples of activities members have completed.
Ann H. Smith, Florida
A seventh grade English teacher, Ann used the NEA-sponsored IAQ
Tools for Schools Action Kit to determine if any potential air quality
issues existed in a neighboring school district. In addition, she
presented a 45 minute workshop on IAQ at the Palm Beach County Association
Representative Training.
Helen Skerratt (formerly DiPascale),
New Jersey
Helen conducted a workshop on IAQ at the Mercer County Education
Association. Collaborating with the National Center for Environmental
Health Strategies, she conducted a presentation at the New Jersey
Education Association Convention. In addition, every school in her
district has been tested for radon.
Cathy Caudle, Arkansas
After conducting a workshop for the Fayettville School Counselors,
Cathy encouraged the participants to use the IAQ Tools for Schools
Action Kit in all school buildings of their local association
or district. She also used the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit
to address potential air quality issues in her school district.
Patricia Monje, Maryland
As the Health and Safety Coordinator, Patricia gave information
on IAQ in schools to Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA)
members on a daily basis. She used the IAQ Tools For Schools
Action Kit to establish a school district-based IAQ management
program. At one of the MCEA Joint Health and Safety Committee meetings,
she conducted a workshop on IAQ.
Larry A. Wolf, Oregon
In response to severe natural gas and carbon dioxide problems in
his local district, Larry has been actively involved in initiating
action on IAQ. He used the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit
in his school district to determine existing air quality issues
and no and low-cost solutions to remediate existing air quality
issues. Larry hopes to conduct seminars on IAQ at the Oregon State
ESP Conference next fall and at the Oregon Education Association
Summer Academy Workshop.
Karen Gillette, Idaho
Having used the IAQ Tools for Schools Action Kit in her school
to resolve IAQ issues, Karen has distributed the Kit to other schools
that were addressing potential IAQ problems. She has been a resource
and information source on IAQ for the Boise Education Association
as well as the Idaho Education Association.
Gary B. Kline, Illinois
President of his local Education Association, Gary has actively
involved a self-appointed IAQ Committee to address IAQ issues in
their district. Working with organizations such as the PTA and the
DuPage County Health Department, the Committee has been very successful
in ensuring that all buildings in the district will be assessed
for potential IAQ problems. Gary also conducted a presentation on
IAQ at the Region Council Meeting.
Words of Wisdom
Get help! It is very difficult to do alone. PTA is generally very
supportive. Keep lines of communication open on all fronts « with
parents, community, administrators, and School Board. Problems get
solved a lot more quickly when the effort is cooperative.
– Helen Skerratt, New Jersey
- Create a resource book for quick reference with names of companies
that might be willing to assist with this issue.
- Get more involved with the PTA president and his/her team.
- Make copies of the most important reference points of the IAQ
Tools for Schools Action Kit and send them out to your head representatives
at schools or any member that has concerns.
- Create easy to read materials regarding radon, pests, mold,
mildew, etc. and give them to your members as a point of reference.
– Patricia Monje, Maryland
Check your contract and see if it contains any health and safety
clauses. These can be valuable tools to help you with IAQ problems.
If you have never bargained such clauses, be sure to include them
in your next go around! If your current contract does not do the
things you need on issues of IAQ, then be sure to bargain the changes
you need at the first opportunity you can.
– Larry Wolf, Oregon
Get parents involved!
– Gary B. Kline, Illinois
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