Katy Independent School District, Katy, TX

Katy Independent School District (KISD) launched their IAQ management program to respond to a mold crisis that led to the closing of one of their schools and the sudden relocation of over 700 students in the spring of 2002. KISD began an aggressive and open communications campaign when the crisis hit and since then, has never stopped engaging their community. The IAQ team shares their IAQ plan, continuously updates the community on its progress and willingly opens their facilities to community tours. This openness and the team’s follow-through on their commitments built trust and significant support for the program in a once-doubting community.

“The IAQ Tools for Schools guidance has become a part of the KISD culture and the ‘way we do business.’ The expectation is that we will provide a clean, healthy environment for our students and staff, and the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance allows us to do just that. As time passes, we continue to instill those lessons in our employees and see buy-in at all levels; it has become an integral part of our day-to-day operations.” Peggy Caruso, Assistant Director, KISD Maintenance & Operations Department

Results:

• Walkthrough assessments of all schools show continuous improvement from baseline.
• Decrease in reported IAQ concerns.
• Improved student, teacher and staff comfort, performance and satisfaction.
• Decreased absenteeism and reduced number of nurse visits for asthma.
• Turned once negative publicity into positive publicity for the district.
• Ongoing public support for major facility investments, including facility upgrades.
• One of 12 schools internationally to win Facilities Masters Award from the Association of School Business Officials International.