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2008 Excellence Award Winners

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IAQ TfS Award Winners

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National Excellence Awards

Exemplary IAQ Programs That Demonstrate Exceptional Commitment to Good IAQ Management

National Model of Sustained Excellence Awards

Sustained Commitment and Achievement in Maintaining Healthy Educational Facilities

National Special Achievement Awards

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

National Excellence Award

Connecticut Technical High School System, Middletown, CT

In 2004, the Connecticut Technical High School System (CTHSS) customized the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS) Program to establish its own indoor air quality (IAQ) management program for technical high schools, naming it Tools for Techs (TfT). Receiving instant support from stakeholders such as the teachers union, superintendent, and assistant superintendent, TfT built on the key components of the IAQ TfS Program, while targeting trade and technology instructional areas. CTHSS kicked off the program with a series of informative walkthroughs at several technical high schools. After assessing the needs of the schools, CTHSS customized the IAQ TfS checklists for the TfT program and piloted the program in two schools during the 2005-06 school year. Committees, each consisting of an administrator, nurse, academic teacher, trade instructor, administrative assistant, building maintenance supervisor, and union representative, convened in each participating school and received extensive training. Since its inception, the TfT program has been well received based on feedback from committee members and program participants. CTHSS has also posted the TfT checklists to the district’s Web site to encourage the participation of other schools in the system and maintain open communications between stakeholders.

Newark Public Schools, Newark, NJ

Realizing the importance of IAQ for each of the district’s 42,000 students and 7,500 teachers and staff, Newark Public Schools implemented the IAQ TfS Program and developed an individualized IAQ plan for each of its schools. Each school designated an IAQ team, consisting of the school principal, head custodian, school nurse, and a representative from the facilities department, teaching staff, student body, and parent’s association. The district held special training sessions in conjunction with the Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition of New Jersey (PACNJ) to facilitate the implementation of the IAQ TfS Program. This included the development of an interactive work order system and command center. These Web-based enhancements have reduced response times, helped to prevent IAQ issues, and quickly address IAQ issues when they occur. The command center also posts IAQ information and reports from each school within the district. Open communications and staff training are key to Newark’s program and also carries into other parts of the district. For example, IAQ posters hang in every classroom, reminding teachers and students of their role in ensuring good IAQ. Newark Public Schools has also performed hazardous chemicals analysis and removed more than 60 tons of chemicals from schools. For its innovative work, the district received the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International Award for three consecutive years.

North East Independent School District, San Antonio, TX

Taking a proactive approach to IAQ issues, the North East Independent School District launched a multi-faceted program that included integrated pest management, chemical clean-up, radon gas mitigation, lead-based paint tests, and a formalized IAQ complaint investigation practice. In addition to the asthma program that began in 2006, these components have been integrated to create the Department of Safe and Healthy Schools. Indoor environmental quality is central to the department’s mission. An extensive chemical clean-out program led to the removal of 23 cubic yards of chemicals. Newly hired faculty and staff receive comprehensive IAQ and asthma awareness training. The IAQ program has resulted in an overall improvement in indoor environmental issues. School faculty and staff members are encouraged to remove all clutter from their rooms before the beginning of summer so that custodians can clean more efficiently and effectively during summer walkthroughs. This effort has reduced cleaning time by as much as 50 percent. The combination of IAQ efforts has helped increase the district’s average daily attendance by 0.3 percent for the 2007-08 school year. By continuing the IAQ TfS program, the North East Independent School District hopes to realize a one percent average daily attendance increase during the 2008-09 school year.

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National Model of Sustained Excellence Award

Amity Regional School District No. 5, Woodbridge, CT

During the 2001-02 school year, mold incidents forced the closure of the Amity High School auditorium and parents threatened to pull their children out of the school. After rapid turnover within the school’s administration, the Amity Board of Education vowed to establish and maintain the healthiest IAQ possible in the district’s facilities. In 2005, the district hired a new director of finance and administration who had a track record of successful implementation of a district-wide IAQ management program. Later that year, the district formed IAQ teams and committees to implement the IAQ TfS Program. In 2006, the district won EPA’s National Excellence Award. Amity has since developed standard operating procedures for responding to IAQ complaints, which are filed through an online work request system. The IAQ team investigates complaints and informs stakeholders of all steps taken. This emphasis on communications and responsiveness, including the use of feedback and survey tools, has built trust and support for the program. A recent survey showed renewed satisfaction with the response to IAQ problems and a decrease in IAQ complaints from 49 in 2002-03 to 10 in 2007-08. School nurse visits related to asthma have also decreased across the district from 234 in 2002-03 to 2 in 2006-07.

Baldwin Union Free School District, Baldwin, NY

As one of the first school districts to implement the IAQ TfS guidance, the Baldwin Union Free School District (BUFSD) emerged as an early leader in preventing IAQ-related illnesses within its schools. In 2000, the district won EPA’s National Excellence Award by using the IAQ TfS Action Kit to create a comprehensive IAQ handbook that identifies and aggressively employs a broad range of measures to reduce sources of possible IAQ problems. As a result, the district adopted low-odor, low-VOC paint, and began to use HEPA vacuums exclusively throughout its facilities to remove dust and other air particles. BUFSD officials implemented a comprehensive integrated pest management program and took other preventive measures to reduce the number of pesticide applications, which led to cleaner air for both students and staff. According to the Baldwin Herald, “Baldwin children are breathing clean air in their classrooms ... giving the school district the state’s green stamp of approval.” In addition to greening existing schools, new construction projects take measures to reduce student and staff exposure to pollutants. The district conducts environmental surveys three times a year and building inspections twice a year to maintain good IAQ within its schools. Through the years, BUFSD has continued to uphold its standard of excellence and now serves as a mentor to other school systems by conducting IAQ presentations and providing one-on-one assistance to other districts. The program has also expanded to include other environmental initiatives, such as tree planting, recycling, and energy conservation.

Bellingham School District, Bellingham, WA

In the early 1990s, Bellingham School District (BSD) recognized how important IAQ was to the success of its education system. The district fought tirelessly to demonstrate this link to the community. After receiving community support, BSD worked with the Northwest Air Pollution Authority, Washington State University Extension Energy Program, and EPA Region 10 to incorporate IAQ into its maintenance and operations manual. Providing recognition and sharing information within the community became a centerpiece of the BSD program. In 2003, BSD won EPA’s National Excellence Award. The district fully engages staff into the program and provides custodians with an active role, including recognition, empowerment, and training. After gaining more participation, the district created the Good Apples Program to recognize outstanding IAQ achievements within the school system. The program has evolved to include other environmental initiatives including a composting and recycling project entitled, “Food to Flowers,” and an eat local program that encourages the purchase and consumption of locally grown produce.

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National Special Achievement Award

Peggy Caruso
Katy Independent School District, Katy, TX

Though Peggy Caruso has served as the Assistant Director of Maintenance and Operations, Environmental Department, at the Katy Independent School District (KISD) for the past six years, she has been involved with the IAQ TfS Program since 2000.  Peggy is a strong champion for IAQ management and has set up an IAQ TfS Program in KISD, as well as in her previous district.  Peggy partnered with the American Lung Association and Texas Department of State Health Services to educate others about building their own IAQ TfS Programs.  Thanks to her efforts, KISD, which received EPA’s Model of Sustained Excellence Award in 2007, continues to promote and fund the IAQ management program.  KISD recently funded a $10 million bond for building envelope projects.  Over the years, Peggy has worked tirelessly to promote IAQ to other districts by hosting an IAQ management symposium and making presentations at conferences in Sugar Land and San Antonio.  She has served as an EPA IAQ TfS faculty member at the past three IAQ TfS symposia and mentored North East, Brazoport, and Spring Independent School Districts.

Diane Rhodes
North East Independent School District, San Antonio, TX

Concerned about the IAQ of schools in the North East Independent School District, where she has served as the Asthma Educator since 2006, Diane Rhodes felt the need to elevate the district’s IAQ program and developed a comprehensive plan to address the issue. Through a series of innovative and informative sessions which blend education and outreach, Diane has toured the state and touted her message of improved IAQ. Diane believes that with awareness, management of environmental triggers, medication, and education, asthma can be controlled. Her four-part approach serves as the foundation for all education and outreach activities. During her sessions, Diane uses a trigger bin to explain the challenges children with asthma face and highlight objects that could trigger asthma attacks. “Asthma Blow-Outs,” another important component to her program, are events that help participants learn about strategies for controlling asthma from medical professionals. Children with asthma receive peak flow meters free of charge. Diane’s program has received critical acclaim and has been featured in television and print media reaching more than one million people. In addition to educating school staff and faculty, Diane has made presentations to the Texas School Nurse Organization Conference, testified before the state’s public health committee, and was recently contacted by the Texas Education Agency to explore statewide implementation of her successful program.

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