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While some are happy about the progress, others are eager for more to be done.
The district formed an air quality committee in September after an announcement of a 19 percent property tax levy hike that includes health and safety money to work on a state-recognized air quality problem in the schools.
Many air quality complaints surfaced after last year’s renovation of the high school, although there have been problems in other buildings for years. Air quality problems can include everything from airborne pollutants and mold to fluctuating temperatures.
In December, eight district employees attended an air quality conference in Washington D.C., made possible in part by federal grant money, where they learned about recognizing and fixing air quality and other environmental problems. Next week, about 10 others will receive training and begin walking through each school to diagnose problems and what they need to do about it, said Academic Affairs Director Scott Hannon, who leads the air quality committee.
Laura Armstrong, a high school English teacher, is one of many people districtwide who recently took a survey on air quality. She said her room seems fine, but at times the temperature gets so hot that students get headaches and feel sleepy or nauseous.
“But it’s hard to keep it comfortable for everybody,” she said.
She noticed that smells from the kitchen sometimes waft into her classroom.
“I can tell that there’s French fries being made,” she said.
Hannon said some places in the district are worse than others. Buildings like the high school, Madison, Central, Jefferson and Washington-Kosciusko have problems because they are older.
“It all depends on where you’re at in the district,” Hannon said.
Where high school science teacher Mary Stromback is, troubles are serious.
Dust plagues her science lab, which she said lacks proper ventilation. She has even eliminated projects that involve certain gasses or vapors.
“I don’t even do (some experiments) anymore. They’re not safe,” she said.
Stromback said she doesn’t want to blame anyone, she just wants the problem solved.
Hannon said the committee formed in September includes people from across the district, and they are a “competent and enthusiastic” group ready to work on these issues.
“We’ll do what we can,” Hannon said. “But it doesn’t happen overnight.”
Britt Johnsen can be reached at bjohnsen@winonadailynews.com or (507)453-3519.
