LISBON McKinley Elementary makes grade on clean air

A public meeting to discuss test results will be Wednesday.
By SUSAN DROTLEFF
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
LISBON -- The air quality at McKinley Elementary School is good, according to the state agency that tested it.
Superintendent Charles McShane presented the school board with the results of the air quality test conducted recently by the state Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
The results were in a letter from Rich Patnode, a certified industrial hygienist with BWC. It stated that the air handlers are well located, clean and functioning well; carbon dioxide levels indicate adequate amounts of fresh air are present; there were no volatile organic compound concentrations detected; and formaldehyde was detected at extremely low levels, well within federal guidelines.
Additionally, fiber counts indicated that the acoustical treatment on the cafeteria walls was not sloughing off.
Return visit
Patnode said he saw no urgent reason to evaluate the remainder of the building, but offered to return in the winter to check whether adequate amounts of fresh air are supplied.
Earlier this school year, parents of some McKinley pupils told school officials their children were becoming ill and that they suspected the acoustical material used for soundproofing in the cafeteria was the cause of the illnesses.
School officials had the acoustical material checked, but it was not found to be a problem.
The district then contacted the BWC to conduct the indoor air quality.
Additionally, the district had commissioned water quality tests, which showed a negative report for bacterial levels, McShane said.
McShane said the BWC test results will be discussed at a public meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the school cafeteria.
Special education
In other matters at the board's meeting Monday, the board agreed to contract with the Columbiana County Educational Service Center for special education services for the year.
Treasurer Cindy Altomare said the program costs the district about $303,000 a year for about 20 students. She pointed out that contracting with the center is less expensive than providing the services in-house.