Environmental Safety

The Governing Board recognizes its obligation to provide a safe and healthy environment at school facilities for students, staff, and community members. The Superintendent or designee shall regularly assess school facilities to identify environmental health risks and shall develop strategies to prevent and/or mitigate environmental hazards. He/she shall consider the proven effectiveness of various options, anticipated short-term and long-term costs and/or savings to the district, and the potential impact on staff and students, including the impact on student achievement and attendance. Such strategies shall focus on maximizing healthy indoor air quality; monitoring the quality of outdoor air and adjusting outdoor activities as necessary; reducing exposure to vehicle emissions; minimizing exposure to lead and mercury; reducing the risk of unsafe drinking water; inspecting and properly abating asbestos; appropriately storing, using, and disposing of potentially hazardous substances; using effective least toxic pest management practices; reducing the risk of foodborne illness; and addressing any other environmental hazards identified during facilities inspections. In developing strategies to promote healthy school environments, the Superintendent or designee may consult and collaborate with local environmental protection agencies, health agencies, water boards, and other community organizations. The Superintendent or designee shall provide the district's maintenance and facilities staff, bus drivers, food services staff, teachers, and other staff as appropriate with professional development regarding their responsibilities in implementing strategies to improve and maintain environmentally safe and healthy schools. The Superintendent or designee shall notify the Governing Board, staff, parents/guardians, students, and/or governmental agencies, as appropriate and as soon as possible, if an environmental hazard is discovered at a school site. The notification shall provide information about the district's actions to remedy the hazard and may recommend health screening of staff and students.