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New Air Quality Requirements Effect Choice Schools
WI Act 96 requires public schools and private schools participating in the Milwaukee and Racine Choice programs to implement a plan for maintaining indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in school buildings. Specifically, the new law requires schools to:
• prepare for the development of an IEQ management plan by May 1, 2012, and
• implement the IEQ management plan by February 1, 2013.
Private schools new to the Choice programs have until October 1 of the first year of operation in the program to develop a plan and until the beginning of the second year of operation to implement the plan.
The law does not require schools to use a prescribed format for IEQ plans, nor does it set specific guidelines or benchmarks for schools to achieve. The objective is to increase awareness of air quality and other environmental issues which impact the overall learning experience in your school and create a protocol for addressing such needs.
Some private schools already have a maintenance plan in place which could serve as their IEQ with little or no modifications. For those of you who need to create a plan, the first step is to create a task force to evaluate your school's needs before May 1, 2012. The two resources below will help them get started:
•Indoor Environmental Quality Management Plan- an optional template created by the Department of Public Instruction
•"Tools for Schools" action kit- a free kit from the US Environmental Protection Agency to help schools with indoor air quality practices
Start simple and build your plan over time using available resources. WI Act 96 does not require private schools to file their completed IEQ plans with the Department of Public Instruction, but they must remain on file in the school and available upon request.
For more information, please contact WCRIS at mkussow@gmail.com or 608-287-1224
2009 Wisconsin Act 96
Indoor Environmental Quality Management Plan
"Tools for Schools" action kit
IEQ Presentation - Milwaukee (4-17-12)
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