New help has just arrived for school districts’ site planning needs. On October 3, 2011, The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency released new voluntary school siting guidelines. These new guidelines will help schools / local educational agencies (LEA), to decide whether to renovate an existing school or build a new school on the current site or on a new site. This document is a good roadmap for LEA’s, architects, and others who are involve in school siting decisions.
The guidelines look at the decision of school siting from a public health standpoint. The aspect of the need for the community’s involvement in working through this process, and how the outcome will be better when the public is apprised of the issues and decisions throughout the process, is also addressed. (If you’ve ever tried to make changes in your school district/school, you know the importance of fully involving the public at all junctures in order to obtain public support.)
EPA used input from school districts, teachers, health care and environmental professionals, other Federal agencies, states, children’s health and environmental organizations, and others, in putting together the guidelines.
The EPA was tasked with producing this information after Congress initiated the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) in December of 2007, with the criteria of taking into account the potential for pollution at a given site, transportation modes available, energy savings, and the possibility of using a school as an emergency shelter.
The guidelines use a step-by-step process, starting with questions to answer, then lists the steps to take to do an environmental review, steps for the gathering of data, and the making of a decision.
The 152-page document doesn’t address existing schools, but does encourage existing schools to use EPA’s Healthy SEAT (Healthy Schools Environmental Assessment Tool) to provide a healthy existing school.
Here are the links for both the new School Siting Guidelines and for Healthy SEAT.
http://www.epa.gov/schools/siting/download.html
http://www.epa.gov/schools/healthyseat/
This seems like a very good guideline for schools to use when determining what route to take when it comes to a school renovation or new construction. I like that it is voluntary and that it gives the schools a step by step guide to help them determine what would be best for them. With this guide there is at least government encouragement to build more energy efficient and publice health focused school projects.
ReplyDeleteM. Nelson (TSU)
I am thrilled that there is a committee in place for this purpose. Many of our old schools are historical monuments. Local residents are often loathe to tear down even those which have mold or asbestos. This will provide clear guidelines which can aid in making the decision.
ReplyDeleteI think that this information needs to be posted in a location that superintendents frequent. Many of these district leaders may have forgotten or do not know of these resources that are available.
ReplyDeleteB. Irick (TSU)
I am impressed with the fact that the EPA used input from school districts, teachers, health care and environmental professionals, other Federal agencies, states, children’s health and environmental organizations, and others, in putting together the guidelines.
ReplyDeleteElewis (TSU)
Thanks for the comments. EPA does have a section that deals specifically with school health and they do a great job of outreach and in designing programs that are common sense and do a lot of good. Barbara I like your comment regarding putting this information somehwere school administrators will see it. I'll work on that.
ReplyDeleteI think it is very helpful for there to be such clear guidelines for the school buildings to follow. Using input from various sources is also a positive thing, because it gives us the chance to see different ideas and thoughts on this process. I agree that making this information easily attainable for administrators is a good change.
ReplyDeleteThis guideline would be a great way to start. It is true that a district mush make sure to have all the public in the building process.
ReplyDeleteCGibbs(TSU)
I think that this is a great article for all chancellors and people in charge of the education system to read. It would be great to see new buildings being built because of the fact that the school buildings are old and need a lot of help. They also need to be renovated because of students with disabilities. It's great that they have a guideline for people to follow and also input from people who are actually relevant to the profession and are in the trenches and understand that guidelines and changes are needed.
ReplyDelete