Dear East Elementary and Cheboygan School District Families,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to provide you with an update on the measures we have taken to ensure the continued safety and well-being of our students, staff, and teachers in light of the air quality issue that occurred on February 17th.
Carbon Monoxide (CO):
While DTE Energy has confirmed that carbon monoxide was not a contributing factor to the incident, we have taken extra precautions to monitor air quality more closely. New CO sensors have been installed in the kitchen and boiler room—areas where CO could potentially be generated.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2):
We are actively monitoring CO2 levels three times a day, and the readings are posted daily on the elementary school’s website for your reference. Through continuous adjustments to fresh air intake, we’ve successfully reduced CO2 levels to below 1500 ppm, with a target goal of reaching 1000 ppm.
To further enhance monitoring, portable CO2 sensors have been added to each classroom at East Elementary.
Additionally, we are integrating another CO2 sensor into the classroom ventilation systems, which will allow our maintenance team to monitor and adjust air flow in real-time. If Steve Flemming, our Director of Facilities, is unavailable, our Maintenance Supervisor, Rich Pennell, will be able to step in to make any necessary adjustments. East Elementary Principal, Mrs. Duffton, will also have access to this system via her office computer.
Mold Testing and Ventilation:
At the request of our teachers, we conducted mold testing throughout the building. The results revealed only trace amounts of mold, all within acceptable levels. We are also now ventilating the crawl space beneath the building and will soon be installing a new sump pump to improve airflow and reduce moisture buildup. The mold testing results have been posted on our website for your reference.
Building Safety Inspections and Approvals:
Following the incident, Michigan Mechanical (our HVAC company) inspected all unit ventilators and confirmed they are safe for use. Additionally, local safety and building experts, including the fire chief and county electrical and building inspectors, have cleared the building for occupancy. There was no presence of hydrogen sulfide (sewer gas) detected by the fire chief and inspectors.
NOVA Environmental, specialists in school building safety, conducted thorough air quality testing and certified the building as safe for use. NOVA will be conducting air quality tests in all district buildings by the end of March.
Additional Updates:
Our new Safety Committee is actively reviewing and updating our Crisis Manual Plan to ensure we are prepared for any future incidents.
A new exhaust fan has been installed in the custodian closet to address potential odors.
On March 12th, we held a District Safety Committee meeting, where each building principal provided updates and shared reports from their respective Building Safety Committees. These meetings include a diverse group of participants such as board members, district administrators, teachers, parents, and community safety personnel.
Substitute Administrator Policy:
To ensure that our school buildings remain well-led in the event of an administrator’s leave, we are implementing a Substitute Administrator Policy. In these situations, a qualified substitute administrator will be assigned, with retired administrators being given priority. If a retired administrator is unavailable, a district-level administrator or assistant principal will be assigned.
The safety and well-being of our students, staff, and teachers remain our top priority. We are continuously evaluating and improving our processes to maintain a safe learning environment for everyone.
Thank you and have a wonderful weekend!
Spencer Byrd
Superintendent