FILE:  EBFA

Cf:  EBBG

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

The Monroe City School Board recognizes that a school’s physical environment can play a major role in academic performance of the students.  Improvements in school indoor air quality (IAQ) may help a student’s ability to learn, enhance academic performance, reduce exposure to unhealthy factors, decrease student absenteeism, and improve teacher and staff productivity and retention.

In an effort to improve the schools’ indoor air quality, the School Board, in collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH), has endorsed the following fundamental, cost-effective approaches in an effort to enhance the learning environment for all students:

1. Classroom Cleanliness and Organization
   
   Schools shall maintain clean classrooms by reducing clutter which serves as a haven for dust and pests which may increase the incidence of asthma attacks and other negative health outcomes.

2. Dust/Dirt Source Control
   
   Schools shall attempt to reduce dust and dirt through the use of proper and clean walk-off mats to trap dirt at all entrance ways into the school building.

3. Scheduled Maintenance
   
   Schools shall be cleaned regularly. Large maintenance projects (i.e., large area mopping/waxing, painting, vacuuming, carpet cleaning, spraying for pests and cutting grass) should be scheduled after hours or when most students are not present.

4. Scent Producers
   
   Schools shall discourage the use of air-fresheners, air sanitizers, scented candles, plug-ins and other products used to mask odors.

5. Chemical Use Safety
   
   Schools shall maintain a plan for emergency spills.  The purchase and storing of chemicals for educational purposes shall be closely monitored in all schools.  Pertinent policies, regulations, and procedures for the handling of chemicals and other hazardous substances shall be followed by students and staff.

6. Air Flow Maintenance
   
   Schools shall monitor all facilities to ensure proper air flow through air intake and air distribution through the facilities heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system by:

1. 1. Reducing blockage to air vents in classrooms and other occupied areas of the school;
      
      

   2. Replacing filters per maintenance schedule; and
      
      

   3. Confirming that outdoor air is entering the intake appropriately.

7. Animal Produced Irritants
   
   Students and staff who have allergies and asthma are particularly sensitive to animal dander, hair, and feces.  It is highly recommended that schools eliminate all animals with fur inside the school unless they are assistance animals because dander from pets is known to worsen asthma.
   
   If animals are used in the school setting for educational purposes, the school district should require:

1. 1. Animals to be restricted for use only throughout the duration of the educational activity to limit exposure for persons who may be sensitive;
      
      

   2. Animals to be contained in an enclosed cage that is cleaned and disinfected by the teacher regularly;
      
      

   3. Animals to be located on hard surfaces or the floor, not carpet;
      
      

   4. Animals to be located away from supply and return vents to avoid circulating allergens through the building;
      
      

   5. Parents or guardians to be informed in advance of any animal visiting; and
      
      

   6. Animals to be in good health with appropriate and up-to-date vaccinations.

8. Pest Control
   
   The Superintendent and/or his/her designee shall maintain an integrated pest management program for each school that focuses on prevention rather than reaction to pest control problems.

9. Bus Idling
   
   Bus idling near buildings should be reduced to a minimum. Buses shall be turned off whenever possible.

COMPLIANCE CHECKS AND ENFORCEMENT

The Monroe City School Board shall work with DHH’s Louisiana Asthma Management and Prevention (LAMP) program to ensure schools are in compliance with air quality endeavors. The LAMP program will work with the Monroe City schools to conduct a district wide IAQ training for maintenance, custodial and other support staff and will provide a checklist which serves as a guide for improving IAQ in schools.

New policy:  February, 2013

Ref:     La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:81

Board minutes, 2-19-13

Monroe City School Board