Air Quality Assessment Proposed For Classrooms

Washington School District students might expect fresher air in the classrooms this school year, as an air quality assessment was presented Monday evening. Two representatives from Trane Technologies Inc. introduced their plan at Washington School District’s board meeting, claiming that it could “reduce risk and build confidence” for the buildings. The assessment will help district staff understand the proper air filtration needed during the pandemic, says Superintendent James Konrad. “It would be empowering feedback for us, just to make sure that we’ve put forth a lot of safety measures to start this school year,” says Konrad. The four steps of the inspection process, “dilute, exhaust, contain, and clean”, will ensure that healthy air can flow and humidity can be controlled within all school facilities. Konrad says the schools have already increased their ventilation and filtration, but the assessment will report “the impact it’s having throughout the district.” The proposal will likely be decided at the next district board meeting, but Konrad hopes the assessment begins before the start of the school year on Monday, Aug. 30.