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Background
A working classroom is one that is safe and healthy. WEAC has consistently promoted efforts to improve environmental quality in schools as a way to enhance the learning experience of students.
At least 20 states have laws that address environmental quality in schools. Wisconsin lags behind other states that have taken a proactive approach to ensuring schools have the tools they need to improve the quality of the environment in which students receive instruction. In just the last few years, WEAC has tracked more than 80 schools in the state that have experienced indoor environmental quality concerns.
WEAC worked last session to advance Senate Bill 325, referred to as the Wisconsin Indoor Environmental Quality in Schools Act. The bill would give schools the guidance and expertise to deal with environmental quality issues and confront problems before they worsen. It would also ensure that school building construction and remodeling projects facilitate good indoor air quality. Senate Bill 325 garnered strong bipartisan support with 31 cosponsors.
Key Components of the Wisconsin Indoor Environmental Quality in Schools Act:. School Indoor Environmental Quality Improvement Plan & Training - With the advice of an Indoor Environmental Quality in Schools Task Force, require the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to establish a management plan to improve indoor environmental quality in schools and training requirements for school building maintenance personnel.
. School Building Compliance - Instruct school boards to ensure that school buildings are in compliance with the management plan and that construction plans and schedules address indoor environmental quality issues and ongoing maintenance issues.
. Department of Commerce Oversight & Noncompliance Alerts - Require the Wisconsin Department of Commerce to determine that school construction plans facilitate good indoor environmental quality prior to approval. Instruct the Department to notify school boards that are not in compliance with the legislation and to make such information available to students and their parents, school employees and the general public if noncompliance poses a health and safety risk.
. Education & Awareness - Make educational materials related to school indoor environmental quality and reports of problems available to students and their parents, teachers, and other school district employees.
WEAC PositionThe Wisconsin Education Association Council supports passage of the Wisconsin Indoor Environmental Quality in Schools Act to improve the learning environment for students and promote a productive work environment for staff.
Talking Points. Good indoor air quality in schools contributes to a favorable learning environment for students and a productive work environment for staff.
. Failure to prevent indoor environmental quality problems, or failure to respond promptly, can have consequences such as health issues, reduced student academic and teacher performance, accelerated school building deterioration, and the increased likelihood of school closings and student and staff relocation - all major disruptions of the learning process.
. Schools across the state are struggling with these issues as they face indoor environmental quality problems such as mold, fungi, asbestos, carbon dioxide, and poor ventilation. In the past few years, WEAC has tracked more than 80 schools that have experienced indoor environmental quality concerns.
. With the passage of the Wisconsin Indoor Environmental Quality in Schools Act, schools will have guidance and expertise to deal with indoor environmental quality issues and future school construction and remodeling projects will facilitate good indoor air quality.
. Regular maintenance and attention to indoor environmental issues will save taxpayer dollars in the long run.
. The Wisconsin Indoor Environmental Quality in Schools Act has strong bipartisan support with 31 legislative cosponsors.
Additional Information
Contact Deb Sybell, WEAC Legislative Program Coordinator, at 800-362-8034 ext. 227 or by e- mail at sybelld@weac.org with any reactions, comments or questions.
Posted May 4, 2006