Air Quality Tests at Burlington High School Indicate No Health Concerns.

March 12, 2008
The Burlington School District administration continues to aggressively pursue any air quality concerns at Burlington High School. No air quality health concerns have been found to exist in the findings of the tests conducted this year by ATC Associates. To ensure a healthy and safe environment for teachers, students, staff and visitors, the Burlington school district administration has instituted a number of measures:

  • 1) Frequent air quality tests conducted by ATC Associates. At least 2 tests and several meetings have been conducted with ATC in the 2007-2008 school year.
  • 2) Monitoring of district Indoor Air Quality processes by the School Board Infrastructure and Technology Committee.
  • 3) Development of an indoor air quality committee utilizing the "Envision: Promoting Healthy School Environments" program through the Vermont Department of Health. This committee is to be comprised of teachers, school board and administration representatives.

Although two teachers currently have rashes, the air quality test reports by ATC have been unable to indicate any definitive link to air quality. Superintendent Jeanne Collins maintains her commitment to working with any affected individual to take diligent and proactive measures to "identify what, if anything, within the building, any individual may have a sensitivity to." Superintendent Collins, the administration and Burlington Education Association representatives met with ATC Associates to review the last air quality report on February 21st, 2008.

As part of the district's Excellence and Equity planning, Frank Locker, of DeJONG.LOCKER, has been engaged to perform a comprehensive facilities audit, including all Burlington High School buildings.

Any questions about the Burlington School District air quality measures or building maintenance can be directed to Superintendent Jeanne Collins at 865-5385 or superintendent@bsdvt.org.