Indoor Air Quality Remediation Efforts

Indoor Air Quality

Remediation EffortsFrancis A. Desmares Elementary School Grades K-4

Copper Hill Elementary School Grades Pre-K - 4

Barley Sheaf Elementary School Grades K-4 Robert Hunter Elementary School

Grades K-4

Reading-Fleming Intermediate School Grades 5-6

J.P. Case Middle SchoolGrades 7-8

Every Student, Every Day, Every Opportunity

@FlemRarSchools #frsd

“Unusual Fungi”

“Unusual Fungi; Just the facts, please.”“There are more than 100,000 species of fungi to consider and most exposures are mixtures of many fungal genera and species. In other words, there is no established threshold of exposure to cause pathological responses in humans.”

Mold is all around us; inside our homes and buildings and outside our homes and buildings. We cannot eliminate all mold.

“In the absence of applicable exposure standards, it is generally accepted that, in mechanically ventilated facilities, the indoor levels of fungi in the air (fungal bioaerosols) should be less than outdoor levels. “

Indoor levels of microbial, levels of fungi, should be less than outdoors.

“Unusual fungal conditions or populations” or “unusual fungal activity” or “atypical biodiversity” are terms used in this report to indicate that the fungal activity identified in sample results is not consistent with the types/species of fungi seen in indoor environments that have not been impacted by uncontrolled water or moisture.”

Unusual fungal conditions = unusual microbial = atypical biodiversity

Reference: Mike McGuiness, Occupational & Environmental Analysis “Copper Hill Elementary School Information”

“Unusual Fungi; Just the facts, please.”

“When reviewing the results of any air or surface tests for fungal contamination, it is important to note that there are no specific standards or accepted exposure levels to differentiate between “safe” or “unsafe” exposure levels and no Permissible Exposure Levels (PEL’s) or Threshold Limit Values (TLV’s) exist for exposure to bioaerosols”

The county health department does not have recommended levels for mold. We reached out to our county health department at the very beginning.

“There are also no “safe” or “unsafe” levels of surface contamination or “safe” or “unsafe” levels of occupant exposure.”

Our district physician, Dr. Elizabeth Raleigh, is working with the district to provide health guidance and plans for students and staff.

Reference: Mike McGuiness, Occupational & Environmental Analysis “Copper Hill Elementary School Information”

When was indoor air quality testing initiated and completed at Copper Hill?

The first round of indoor air quality testing occurred on the morning of Thursday, August 16th for all classrooms at Copper Hill that were reported to have issues of an indoor air quality that was less than ideal or in classrooms where an occurrence of a suspicious substance was visually substantiated.

The first round of results were reported on Friday, August 17th, approximately 24 hours later for all classrooms that visually reported seeing evidence of a suspicious substance. The second round of results for all other indoor spaces at Copper Hill was reported on Sunday, August 19th.

What is the status of Copper Hill to date?All rooms have been successfully cleaned;

Rarely, unusual fungal populations are seen in any room remediated, but if they are protocols are followed;

• Air conditioning set at 75 degrees;

• Teachers no longer have ability to control classroom temperature;

• The school re-opened on September 3rd

How did we get from August 13th to September 4th?

Clip art credit: https://badoochicas.com/pink-calendar-clip-art-10-august-2018/pope.html

August 13th- (6:30 pm) Notified of mold in Copper HillAugust 14th- Walked the building with administrationAugust 15th - Met with R.K. Environmentalist and testing beganAugust 16th - Waiting on test results from Dr. Wei Tang, Ph.D., microbiologistAugust 17th - Test results arrived; closed buildingAugust 19th - Letter to CH communityAugust 20th -August 30th Professional remediation by ServeProAugust 31st - Professional remediation almost completed

Building Closed

Building Closed Building Closed Building Closed


How did we get from August 13th to September 4th?September 3rd –Copper Hill cleared for staff re-entry; 17 days later for full building remediation.

All rooms have been successfully cleaned with rare sightings of unusual fungal populations seen in any room remediated. Proper protocols are followed.

The school can re-open.

Building Closed



When was indoor air quality testing initiated and completed at Reading-Fleming Intermediate School (RFIS)?

RFIS was the second building to be tested due to the visual confirmation of mold in the very back part of the basement. This occurred on August 16. Following the guidelines of the Environmental Protection Guidelines, (EPA), a containment wall was recommended as the first step in remediation.

• Surface and air testing;

• Negative air pressure in back of basement;

• Lower gym testing negative for all surface

and air issues;

When was indoor air quality testing initiated and completed at Reading-Fleming Intermediate School (RFIS)?

• Negative air pressure in back of basement and in two classrooms;

At RFIS, how did we get from August 16th to September 10th?


August 16th - Notified of mold in RFISAugust 17th – Letter to RFISCommunityAugust 21st – Letter to RFISCommunityAugust 23rd – Testing by R.K. Environmental Received. Basement and other areas closed.August 24th – Test results from Dr. Wei Tang, Ph.D., microbiologistAugust 24th – September 3rd-Professional CleaningAugust 28th- Letter to RFISCommunity

Basement Closed

Basement Closed

Basement Closed & Chorus Room and Small group instruction room closed the rest of the building open to students and staff.

Basement & Annex/Music Wing & long old hallway Closed

At RFIS, how did we get from August 16th to September 10th?

September 3rd – The remainder of RFIS cleared for staff & student re-entry, except for rooms 17, 24, and basement area outside the lower gym. Impacted rooms not yet addressed have been isolated with containment and negative pressurization to preclude pollutant transport from dirty rooms to cleaned locations. The school may re-open.

Building Closed



What is the status of Reading-Fleming Intermediate School to date?

• Rooms with unusual fungal populations have been successfully remediated with the exception of rooms 17, 24 and the basement area outside of the lower Gym.

• The school is fully open and cleared for students.

When was indoor air quality testing initiated and completed at J.P. Case Middle School?

• J.P. Case Middle School was the third building to be tested. This occurred on August 22.

• We had two areas at J.P. Case; the B Wing, which includes classrooms in our music hallway, and two lecture rooms located next to the auditorium had levels which were slightly elevated.

• HEPA air scrubbers

At J.P. Case, how did we get from August 16th to September 10th?


August 22nd – Testing began at JP Case Middle School

August 26th – Test results from Dr. Wei Tang, Ph.D., microbiologistAugust 27th – Letter to JP Case CommunityAugust 27th – September 3rd

Air Scrubbing with HEPA air filters

Music hallway and two lecture rooms closed

Testing began Results received

At J.P. Case, how did we get from August 16th to September 10th?

September 3rd; Test results from Dr. Wei Tang, Ph.D., microbiologist

September 4th – All of JP Case open to staff.

September 5th- Letter to JP Case Community

Building Closed



What is the status of J.P. Case Middle School to date?

• J.P. Case Middle School has no issues.

• The school is fully open and cleared for students and staff.

When was indoor air quality testing initiated and completed at Francis A. Desmares (FAD); Robert Hunter (RH); Barley Sheaf (BS) ?

FAD, RH, and BS tests were ordered as part of a pro-active strategic composite sampling to ensure all buildings had air qualities that were deemed safe for students and staff.

This decision was pro-active as a precaution.

Strategic composite sample tests occurred during the week of August 27th, with FAD tests occurring after Robert Hunter and Barley Sheaf.

How did we get from August 16th to September 10th with Barley Sheaf (BS); Robert Hunter (RH) & Francis A. Desmares (FAD)?


August 23rd -24th - Testing began at BS, then RH, then FAD.August 24th – Test results sent to Dr. Wei Tang, Ph.D., microbiologistAugust 26th- 27th- Waiting on test results from Dr. Wei Tang, Ph. D., microbiologistAugust 28th- Letter to BS CommunityAugust 28th- Letter to RH CommunityAugust 28th- Letter to FAD Community August 28th – September 10th - Professional Cleaning at RH, BS, & FADAugust 30th- Letter delaying opening

FAD Closed RH and BS have areas to address too.

Testing & Waiting on Testing Results

Professional Cleaning by Serve Pro

At FAD and RH; how did we get from August 13th to September 10th?

September 9th - Letter to FRSD Community September 11th- Letter to FRSD Communty

FAD;– All rooms have been successfully remediated (with the exception of Rooms 2,3,4, and 6 which have been isolated and will be re-cleaned and post-tested until passing clearance. The school may re-open.

Robert Hunter ES: Rooms 111 and 125 and the Library are isolated and require additional cleaning and air scrubbing. Once cleaning is complete, PRV testing and assessment will be completed and the rooms may be re-occupied after passing this testing. All other rooms may be re-occupied.


At Barley Sheaf, how did we get from August 13th to September 10th?

Barley Sheaf : Rooms 23, 24, 26, 28, 39, 49 will be tested again to determine the effectiveness or remedial work and will remain "off-limits" until successful results are obtained in testing procedures. Air scrubbers have been set up in Room 36, the Art Room, the Library and the Faculty Room which still exhibit unusual fungal populations and need additional cleaning and addressing Faculty room which showed very heavy growth. All other rooms may be re-occupied.


What is the status of Francis A. Desmares (FAD) to date?

The school was reopened a little before noon for teachers on Monday, September 10th and for all students that afternoon.

What is the status of Francis A. Desmares (FAD) to date?

All rooms have been successfully remediated (with the exception of Rooms 2,3,4, and 6 which have been isolated and will be re-cleaned and post-tested until passing clearance.

Costs of Indoor Air Quality RemediationEstimate: $186,979– Cleaning / Remediation

(P.O. $186,979.00)- paid $95,000 on 9/5/2018 for FAD

Estimate: $162,022.50 – paid $90,000 on 8/30/2018 for CH

RFIS-_________________

RH- _________________

BS-__________________

JP Case- ______________

Estimate: $50,000- Environmental Testing (P.O. $50,000.00)- paid $35,457.75 on 8/30/2018

Equipment:

Air scrubbers - $16, 270.12

Dehumidifiers and equipment- $69,614.10

Dehumidifiers $1,000

HVAC

Supplies $3,500

Supplies $1,000

$85,000- RK Environmental (paid $35,457.75 on 8/30/2018)

$_____- overtime pay facilities

Total: $533,071.28

Paid thus far: $220,457.75

Pro-Active Facility Plans Moving Forward:Yearly consult with environmentalist;

Dehumidifiers

HEPA air scrubbers

HVAC monitoring

Full report from the environmentalist with recommendations

Investigating humidity monitors


Indoor Air Quality

Remediation Efforts

Superintendent Goals Draft

1. Recruit and hire a permanent Director of Pupil Services;

2. Two-way feedback;

- Solicits input and keeps others informed with necessary information in a timely manner.

3. Engenders trust with community and staff at FRSD;

– Demonstrates and practices high standards of personal and professional integrity. Displays honesty and candor. Creates trusting relationships of others.

4. Investigate and further develop district security;

5. Leadership/Influence

- Utilizes appropriate interpersonal styles and approaches in facilitating a group towards task achievement


Superintendent Goals to Lead Hunterdon County in STEM Success

1. Communicate with the community the goals in STEM

tied to our strategic plan;

2. Build partnerships with higher-education institutions,

families, STEM-rich institutions, business communities,

out-of-school programs, and local community leaders;

3. Apply to be a New Jersey STEM ecosystem in the

fall/winter of 2018, anticipating an award in 2019;

4. National recognition as the 5th New Jersey STEM

ecosystem located in our own Hunterdon County and

one of 52 National STEM ecosystems; and

5. Develop and complete a capstone project in STEM.


National LEAD STEM New Jersey Representative


“Kari McGann, Superintendent of Schools in Flemington-Raritan Regional School District in New Jersey, has been selected as one of 20 fellows in LEAD STEM, a national leadership development experience. Over the coming year, McGann will be educated on critical skills to impact current local learning opportunities while shaping the global future of education in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).”

National LEAD STEM National Representatives

@FlemRarSchools #frsd http://stemecosystems.org/lead-stem/

Click here.

http://stemecosystems.org/lead-stem/

http://stemecosystems.org/lead-stem/

Welcome New Staff!

2018-2019

Francis A. Desmares Elementary School Grades K-4

Principal, Ms. Carol Howell

Copper Hill Elementary School Grades Pre-K – 4

Principal, Ms. Vanessa Ahmed

Barley Sheaf Elementary School Grades K-4

Principal Ms. Karen Gabruk

Robert Hunter Elementary School Grades K-4

Principal, Dr. Kathy Suchorsky

Reading-Fleming Intermediate School Grades 5-6

Principal, Mr. Anthony DeMarco

J.P. Case Middle SchoolGrades 7-8

Principal, Mr. Robert Castellano


Special ServicesInterim Director of Special

Services, Dr. Kathy Giordanella

We welcome all our new teachers to the Flemington-Raritan

team!

Images from Pinterest

The Flemington-Raritan Regional School District (FRSD) values children. Together we:

Foster social, emotional, and academic growth in a safe and nurturing environment;Respect values and traditions within our families and schools;

Strive to respond to the needs of our diverse and changing community; andDevelop the curiosity and creativity of critical thinkers to become collaborative

problem-solvers who meet the challenges of a globally competitive society.

The Flemington-Raritan Regional School District values children.

Together we:Foster social, emotional, and academic growth in a safe

and nurturing environment;Respect values and traditions within our families and

schools;Strive to respond to the needs of our diverse and

changing community; andDevelop the curiosity and creativity of critical thinkers

to become collaborative problem-solvers who meet the challenges of a globally competitive society.

Documents

Indoor Air Quality Remediation Efforts