Earlier this month, the Kyrene Elementary School District closed one of its schools to complete a roofing project and deal with air quality concerns. That closure has been extended, which means hundreds of students will continue to learn elsewhere.
Roof work was paused at Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary in Ahwatukee after parents and staff reported odors. Later, tests showed the total Volatile Organic Compounds in the air exceeded the ideal amount by over 20 times.
At a governing board meeting Tuesday, Superintendent Laura Toenjes gave an update. She said roof work has not yet resumed.
“At this point, we’re probably asking people to be prepared that it could take through winter break, but if we get notice that it’s done sooner and we can get back in the building sooner we will do so," Toenjes said.
The district had initially said the school would be closed through fall break. But some say the district is still not being fully transparent.
Kyrene parent Courtney Maxedon testified at the board meeting. She said the standards the district is using to test the air quality for safety are for adult workers in industrial settings, not children.
“A quick Google search will tell you that VOC exposure for children is lower than limits for adults, due to their developing bodies and higher respiratory rates," Maxedon said.
Another parent, Christa Trexler, said while the pivot to a new school was difficult, teachers and staff are handling the transition well.
"Even while their whole professional world had been turned upside down, the teachers and staff managed to provide virtual resources and set up classrooms in record time," Trexler said.
