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September 26. 2012 2:25AM
Londonderry schools ban some cleaning products to improve air quality
LONDONDERRY — A district-wide policy aimed at ensuring better air quality inside the schools will prevent teachers from bringing certain cleaning products into their classrooms.
During Tuesday night's School Board meeting, district officials gathered for a second reading of the proposed new indoor air quality policy. The policy was first introduced during the Sept. 11 board meeting.
Business Administrator Peter Curro said the policy has been unchanged since its initial reading.
The board voted unanimously to pass the policy.
With the goal of maintaining better air quality throughout the district's facilities, the new policy places Chuck Zappala, building and grounds director, and school administrators in charge of enforcing the updated rules.
Among the initiatives outlined in the new policy is a rule requiring all furniture and cleaning substances not purchased through the district be subjected to Zappala's approval before their use.
Zappala noted that in previous years, teachers have brought in their own products, such as antibacterial wipes containing harsh disinfectants that can prove irritating to students with allergies, asthma or other health concerns.
Under the new policy, administrators will offer a number of safer products to their staff members in hopes of discouraging them from bringing in their own cleaning items.
School principals and/or Zappala will now be required to annually investigate their facility's air quality using a checklist provided by the state Department of Education.
Each school's checklist is to be kept on file with the New Hampshire Department of Education, the superintendent's office and the town Health Officer, and is required to remain on file for five years.
A state law approved last year tasks school boards with the responsibility of forming a policy governing air quality issues in their facilities. The policy must also address methods of minimizing or eliminating emissions from all motorized vehicles on school grounds, among other things.
April Guilmet may be reached at AGuilmet@newstote.com.
During Tuesday night's School Board meeting, district officials gathered for a second reading of the proposed new indoor air quality policy. The policy was first introduced during the Sept. 11 board meeting.
Business Administrator Peter Curro said the policy has been unchanged since its initial reading.
The board voted unanimously to pass the policy.
With the goal of maintaining better air quality throughout the district's facilities, the new policy places Chuck Zappala, building and grounds director, and school administrators in charge of enforcing the updated rules.
Among the initiatives outlined in the new policy is a rule requiring all furniture and cleaning substances not purchased through the district be subjected to Zappala's approval before their use.
Zappala noted that in previous years, teachers have brought in their own products, such as antibacterial wipes containing harsh disinfectants that can prove irritating to students with allergies, asthma or other health concerns.
Under the new policy, administrators will offer a number of safer products to their staff members in hopes of discouraging them from bringing in their own cleaning items.
School principals and/or Zappala will now be required to annually investigate their facility's air quality using a checklist provided by the state Department of Education.
Each school's checklist is to be kept on file with the New Hampshire Department of Education, the superintendent's office and the town Health Officer, and is required to remain on file for five years.
A state law approved last year tasks school boards with the responsibility of forming a policy governing air quality issues in their facilities. The policy must also address methods of minimizing or eliminating emissions from all motorized vehicles on school grounds, among other things.
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April Guilmet may be reached at AGuilmet@newstote.com.
