By Paul Garrod
Staff writer
news4garrod@gmail.com
LAWRENCE – The Van Buren Intermediate School District reopened the Van Buren Tech on Monday, Sept. 28, following the completion of an extensive indoor air quality evaluation last Friday through Sunday, Sept. 25 through Sept. 27.
On Friday, Sept. 25, VBISD officials closed the Van Buren Tech building as part of VBISD’s continued efforts to ensure a clean and safe environment for students and staff.
On Friday, VBISD officials consulted with the local health department and worked with an environmental testing company to conduct additional testing and a thorough examination of the building. The evaluation included additional air quality testing, as well as a detailed review of the areas of concern.
While the results of Friday’s environmental testing would not be available until Monday, the thorough examination of the building did not identify any conditions that would require Van Buren Tech to remain closed beyond the weekend.
VBISD Superintendent Dave Manson said, “It is important to note that the Van Buren ISD was not required to close the building based on the information available to us. However, when there is a potential concern involving the health and safety of our students and staff, we believe it is important to err on the side of caution. We made the decision to cancel our open house (scheduled Thursday, Sept. 26) and Friday’s instruction so that we could give environmental professionals the opportunity to thoroughly examine the building before students and staff returned.”
He continued, “We recognize that families may have questions or concerns, and we appreciate your patience and understanding as we have taken the time necessary to evaluate the situation carefully.
“Our priority throughout this process has been, and will continue to be, the health and safety of our students and staff. We will review the environmental testing results when they are available on Monday and will take any additional steps that may be necessary based on those results,” said Manson.
Recently, Van Buren Tech conducted preventative indoor air quality testing as part of its ongoing efforts to ensure that students and staff are learning and working in a clean and safe environment. Van Buren ISD has been working closely with Villa Environmental to evaluate the building and ensure that appropriate steps are taken to maintain a healthy environment.
Late Thursday afternoon, Sept. 24, the VBISD received one test result that required additional review and follow-up. “Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to cancel the Open House and use Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to conduct additional evaluation and, if necessary, take appropriate remediation steps,” said Manson.
VBISD officials consulted on Friday with an additional environmental company to provide another level of expertise and ensure that the VBISD was taking the appropriate measures before students and staff returned to the building.
