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2007 Excellence Award Winners

IAQ TfS Award Winners

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Past IAQ TfS Award Winners

2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

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Excellence Awards

Exemplary IAQ Programs That Demonstrate Exceptional Commitment to Good IAQ Management

Model of Sustained Excellence Awards

Sustained Commitment and Achievement in Maintaining Healthy Educational Facilities

Special Achievement Awards

Honoring Those Nominated By Their Peers Who Are Passionate About Improving School Indoor Environments

Excellence Award Winners

Baltimore County Public Schools, Baltimore, MD

The district’s IAQ Tools for Schools efforts began in 2005, led by a multi-departmental Environmental Action Team and covering 40 school buildings. Its activities included monitoring buildings – especially those with known problems – implementing a training program (done in cooperation with the American Lung Association of Maryland), and conducting building walkthroughs. Special attention was paid to boosting preventive maintenance and cleaning, upgrading HVAC systems, and preventing water intrusion. Consequently, the district’s average expenditure on mold remediation dropped 71 percent. The number of major mold remediation projects fell from 30 or 40 per year to a single incident by 2006. Information on IAQ is now presented across all disciplines of the Baltimore County Public Schools, and program successes are communicated broadly, through a variety of media.

Mayfield City School District, Mayfield Heights, OH

Mayfield City School District began applying the IAQ Tools for Schools approach in 2004, recognizing that a gap existed between the environmental concerns of staff and institutional follow-up. The action steps taken flowed from the designation of an IAQ Coordinator and the recommendations of a planning team approved by the superintendent. These steps included: comprehensive training for custodial staff; an anti-idling policy for school buses; an Integrated Pest Management initiative; and regular meetings with teachers, who learned how to complete the IAQ Tools for Schools checklist for each of their classrooms. The district’s program relies on strong collaboration between the administration, building operations and maintenance personnel, and the teachers union. This has resulted in improved awareness, communication, and commitment to IAQ, as well as increased trust, confidence, and pride throughout the school system.

Ridgefield Public Schools, Ridgefield, CT

A number of prompts – including mold found on carpeting, a series of renovation and construction projects, and environmental legislation – gave Ridgefield Public Schools incentive to implement IAQ Tools for Schools in 2003. The district immediately hired an IAQ Coordinator as well as two HVAC mechanics. Each school then established an IAQ team, with those teams trained by the state Department of Health. If an IAQ incident occurs, teams react promptly, using an electronic work order system and working closely with the IAQ Coordinator. Since the program’s implementation, the district has noticeably cleaner and drier buildings, fewer teacher and staff health issues, fewer student visits to the school nurse for breathing difficulties – and a decrease in absenteeism each year.

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Model of Sustained Excellence Award Winners

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Charlotte, NC

Since winning the National Excellence Award in 2004, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has truly systematized its IAQ Tools for Schools efforts. Any building occupant can draw attention to a potential issue by submitting a request online or through a call center – and get a response within 24 hours from one of the district’s specially trained building services staff. The district completed a baseline assessment of its buildings this past year, and analyzed the data with the University of Tulsa. The district has also embraced the U.S. Green Buildings Council’s LEED certification program for high-performance schools – using, for example, more than 900,000 gallons of ‘green’ custodial products last year. District staff has trained 22 other North Carolina school districts, presented at 6 national forums on indoor air quality, participated on a state panel focusing on K-12 sanitation rules, and contributed articles on IAQ, mold, and radon.

Katy Independent School District, Katy, TX

A member of the Symposium faculty, the Katy Independent School District continues to step up its commitment to IAQ since winning the National Excellence Award in 2005. An indoor air quality specialist heads its Environmental Department, and leads a ten-member team responsible for investigating any complaint within 24 hours and following up until resolved. Many other personnel have been trained to look for potential IAQ problems in the course of their routine duties. The district has developed an IAQ training manual, with program procedures and other guides continuing to be written. Three years after Katy ISD established its program, voters in the district passed a bond issue that financed new roofs and waterproofing for 15 schools. The return on investment can also be affirmed through standardized test scores, where Katy ISD students consistently outperform both their state and national peers. As the district continues its tremendous growth, IAQ is an established part of the culture.

The School District of Palm Beach County, West Palm Beach, FL

The district has made its indoor air quality program demonstrably more effective since it won the National Excellence Award in 2003. Training is one hallmark. Teachers and school-based staff are trained to be aware of how their actions can affect IAQ, as are custodians and staff across the Facilities Management department. The district adopted several new programs, such as building commissioning to ensure that all systems perform as designed. An annual ‘Lessons Learned and Best Practices Workshop’ is attended by representatives from all segments of the district, including facility staff as well as principals, School Board members, construction managers and engineers, contractors and consultants. By regularly soliciting input from all levels and professional disciplines, the district is assured of maintaining awareness of good IAQ while improving the quality of that air.

The School Board of Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Reflecting its ongoing commitment to indoor air quality, the School Board of Broward County – the sixth largest in the country – is a Faculty member at this Symposium. Its IAQ Tools for Schools program was first recognized with the National Excellence Award in 2005. It operates with complete senior level buy-in, from the superintendent to the school board. Technology plays a major role in the district’s success. IAQ information is collected during building walkthroughs by hand-held personal data assistants, which automatically assign a priority code and upload to a database. Reports and follow-up actions are then placed on the district’s website, where stakeholders can easily access them. Other innovations include a no-idling policy for school buses and the adoption of sustainable building approaches such as the use of green cleaning products. IAQ Tools for Schools has become institutionalized through the budgeting process as well, with resources earmarked for HVAC and roof maintenance needs.

Wichita Public Schools – USD 259, Wichita, KS

Proactivity is the hallmark of this district’s IAQ Tools for Schools program, which won the National Excellence Award in 2005. Its efforts begin with each school building having an onsite registered nurse trained to communicate any potential issues to the district’s Environmental Services staff. Training is also emphasized, whether online or in-service. IAQ investigations are generated through a work order system; indoor air quality is also part of the annual safety inspection of all school buildings. Written protocols have been incorporated into the district’s Safety and Health Manual. IAQ surveys and reports are also widely disseminated. All of these factors make for a sustainable IAQ Tools for Schools program in the Wichita Public Schools.

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Special Achievement Award Winners

Philip Apruzzese Connecticut Education Association

Philip Apruzzese is being recognized for his leadership in improving the indoor air quality of Connecticut schools. Although IAQ was not on school officials’ radar screen as recently as a decade ago, he used his marketing savvy and commitment to student performance and staff retention to make it a top priority. Phil organized two well-attended conferences that raised public awareness of IAQ, spoke at public hearings, and lobbied key officials. His advocacy led to state requirements to identify and correct environmental problems in existing buildings and monitor for respiratory illnesses. Phil has made it his mission to provide healthy learning and working environments in Connecticut schools, earning the gratitude of parents, administrators, students, and fellow teachers.

Healthy Schools Network, Inc.

The Healthy Schools Network (HSN), founded in 1994, advances policies to improve the health of school environments as well as children’s health overall. Its work is both innovative and broad-based. The organization has advocated for policies that support the IAQ Tools for Schools Program and they have helped inform numerous initiatives which support indoor air quality management activities in schools. HSN makes communications its top priority, reaching out to public education stakeholders and their work has raised awareness and action across the country to address indoor air quality in schools.

The Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition of New Jersey

The Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition of New Jersey (PACNJ) is being honored for its extensive IAQ and Asthma Friendly Schools work. Over the past two years, the organization has bestowed its Asthma Friendly Schools Award on nearly 300 New Jersey schools, recognizing them for their demonstrated commitment to indoor air quality. Qualifying schools must provide IAQ training to onsite nurse and facility staff members, and pledge to avoid school bus idling as well. These initiatives promote the value of IAQ Tools for Schools in reducing asthma and related illnesses. These and other efforts focus squarely on preventive action and risk management as the way to promote student and staff health.

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