IAQ Tools for Schools

Find an IAQ Champion

EPA Region 2 Contact
Larainne Koehler
Email: koehler.larainne@epa.gov
Phone: (212) 637-3745
Address: 290 Broadway, New York, NY 10007

Region 2 IAQ Champions

New Jersey | New York | Puerto Rico | U.S. Virgin Islands

New Jersey

Arthur N. Pierfy, New Jersey Association of Buildings and Grounds, Rockaway, N.J.
Contact: Art Pierfy, arthurp@rocktwp.morris.k12.nj.us

Over the past decade, Arthur Pierfy has implemented several ambitious, state-wide initiatives to properly manage IAQ concerns. He used his years of firsthand IAQ management experience to organize workshops and training materials to assist schools across the state in meeting IAQ regulatory standards. In his own school district, he organizes health and safety committees to address IAQ and other environmental concerns, and evaluate the successes of remediation. Pierfy also developed a school environment IAQ checklist for assessing and addressing environmental complaints. He has established clear lines of communication with his staff and the community and emphasizes that students, educators and community members do not need to settle for an uncomfortable environment: there is a solution for every IAQ concern.

Clatie Campbell, Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics (AANMA) Outreach Service, Trenton, N.J.
Contact: Clatie Campbell, RT, clatiec@aol.com

Clatie Campbell, a volunteer with AANMA, helped change attitudes in her community and local school system about IAQ. Her creative thinking, determination and patience enabled her to bring the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance into her community.

Newark Public Schools, Newark, N.J.
Contact: Steve Morlino, smorlino@nps.k12.nj.us

Realizing the importance of IAQ, Newark Public Schools used the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance to develop 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 to facilitate the implementation of the plans and create open communications. To reduce response times, prevent IAQ issues and address IAQ issues when they occur, the district developed an interactive work order system and command center. 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 has repeatedly received the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International Award.

Ocean Township School District, Oakhurst, N.J.

Ocean Township School District has fully institutionalized IAQ management into all levels of building and ground maintenance and has ensured that IAQ procedures are consistent and practiced daily across the district. IAQ metric analyses are standard, as are regularly scheduled HVAC inspections and the use of green cleaning products for all applications. The director of facilities has computerized control of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and Ocean Township fully engages its staff in IAQ management practices to ensure that all involved are well-informed and empowered to achieve IAQ success. Outside of school, the community is made aware of the district's IAQ policies at Parent Teacher Association meetings and through postings on the district's website and in local newspapers. The district has obtained funding for their program by documenting the return on investment and through capital improvement funding initiatives.

The Pediatric/Adult Asthma Coalition of New Jersey, Union, N.J.
Contact: Teresa Lampmann, teresa@pacnj.org

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

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New York

Baldwin Union Free School District, Baldwin, N.Y.
Contact: Michael Sheehan, sheehanm@baldwinschools.org

The Baldwin Union Free School District (BUFSD) used the IAQ Tools for Schools 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. The district conducts environmental surveys three times a year and building inspections twice a year to maintain good IAQ within its schools.

Healthy Schools Network, Inc. (HSN), Albany, N.Y.
Contact: Claire Barnett, cbarnett@healthyschools.org

HSN was founded in 1994 and 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 guidance and has helped inform numerous initiatives which support IAQ management activities in schools. HSN makes communications its top priority, reaching out to public education stakeholders. Its work has raised awareness and action across the country to address IAQ in schools.

Michael Sheehan, Baldwin Union Free School District, Baldwin, N.Y.
Contact: Russ Randazzo, randazzor@baldwinschools.org

For more than 20 years, Michael Sheehan has been an activist in promoting the well-being of students and staff within Baldwin Union Free School District. In his position as district safety officer, Sheehan has led the effort in developing a sustainable IAQ management program for the district based on the IAQ Tools for Schools Framework and Action Kit. He has institutionalized IAQ practices by creating an IAQ handbook that outlines procedures that encouraged healthy and safe school environments and has shared it with several hundred school districts across the country. In addition, he has made numerous presentations at meetings for groups such as PTA, Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, National School Plant Management Association, New York State Association of School Superintendents of Buildings and Grounds, and Nassau County (NY) Association of School Superintendents of Buildings and Grounds.

Nassau County Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES)
Contact: Peter LaDuca, pladuca@mail.nasboces.org

Nassau County BOCES coordinates educational, safety and health services for all schools in Nassau County. This highly respected organization encourages school districts to use the IAQ Tools for Schools guidance, form an IAQ Team and develop an IAQ management plan. The group provides materials and training on the Action Kit and effectively communicates with school staff. Nassau BOCES is in a unique position to provide coordinated educational support services for all schools in the county and partners with key school decision makers. To date, the board has succeeded in getting 12 schools/districts to implement IAQ Tools for Schools guidance and continues to reach out to other Boards of Cooperative Educational Services throughout New York.

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