Air quality still on minds of Needham school parents
Some parents were still nervous about indoor air quality as the Newman Elementary School opened its doors last week, three days later than the other schools in Needham.
Amid assurances that Newman's air quality is acceptable and that school district officials are continuing to look at long-term solutions for the building's troubled heating and ventilation system, parents expressed both concern and optimism.
"I feel like I have to wait and see what happens," said Madeline Wolfield, whose daughter was in a classroom where a steam pipe burst two years ago. "It's nerve-racking."
Her daughter is now in the fourth grade and her son in third. He has had sinus problems that Wolfield believes are related to the school's air-quality problems, but her daughter, she said, has been symptom free.
"I think they have the right people on board," she said of the remediation. "Everyone is really aware and really vigilant. . . . I definitely think they're moving in the right direction."
The steam pipe failure in her daughter's classroom was one of the first signs that the heating and ventilation system was in trouble, but what really prompted a deep concern was the discovery last winter that some teachers and at least one student were having symptoms that could be linked to poor indoor air quality.
It turned out the system was belching fine silt into the air that first became noticeable in the school's media center. In March the center and nearby classrooms were closed and students and staff were relocated in the building.
Over the summer, school and town officials along with consultants came up with a temporary heating and ventilation system for the media center and other affected areas. Where the old system is still in use, the duct work was cleaned and inspected with a camera. They continue to research replacing the entire system.
The school, built in the early 1960s, houses about 800 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade.
At an open house last Sunday, the day before the school started holding classes, parents toured the media center, viewed the new - albeit temporary - infrastructure, and asked questions.
"It's clearly a concern," said Scott Eun, whose daughter is new to the school district and starting kindergarten. "I would be more concerned if the Band-Aid were a more long-term fix."
He said he fully expects that the temporary heating and ventilation system will be replaced.
"Is it something that makes me feel like I shouldn't be sending my daughter here? No," he said, asking and answering his own concerns about the health risk.
Other parents said they felt confident that school officials have been on top of the problem.
"I'm not really too concerned," said Jennifer Solomon, whose daughter is a first-grader. "I trust the school system to get it done."
Indoor air-quality testing is being conducted by the district's environmental consultants and the state's Department of Public Health. Tests conducted in the days leading up to Monday's opening showed acceptable levels for all contaminants, officials said.
Superintendent Daniel Gutekanst said the heating and ventilation system will need to be replaced, and the town's Permanent Public Building Committee is working on a feasibility study to evaluate options. Findings are to be presented next month.
So far, one teacher reported feeling queasy when she first went into her room a couple of weeks before school started, said Gutekanst. Officials determined that odors were coming from the unventilated room's new tiles and adhesive, he said, and no more problems have been reported since it was aired out.
"I'm just extremely confident the building is healthy and safe and ready for teaching and learning," Gutekanst said at the open house. "I think we've engaged the right people to help guide our decision-making."
Lisa Kocian can be reached at 508-820-4231 or lkocian@globe.com. 