District

ISD#777: Indoor Air Quality Notice

Benson Public Schools are proud to be taking a leadership role in providing a safe, comfortable and productive environment for our students and staff so that we achieve our core mission - educating students.  Our school will follow the EPA guidance to improve our indoor air quality by preventing as many IAQ problems as possible, and by quickly responding to any IAQ problems that may arise.  Good air quality requires an ongoing commitment by everyone in our school, because each of us daily makes decisions and performs activities that affect the quality of the air we breathe.

School staff, students and parents can obtain checklists or self-help information so they can properly evaluate their child’s home or other out of school situation by contacting the school.  Staff and parents can also obtain information about school facility construction, maintenance and housekeeping practices, chemicals used, mold and HVAC related information, chemical producing academic subjects and pesticide and herbicide applications to determine the extent to which school activities contribute to a child’s symptoms by contacting the school.

The Benson Public Schools Indoor Air Quality contact person is Karl (Hoss) Manska, Maintenance and Custodial Supervisor. If there are any questions regarding the school’s IAQ Program please call the school at 320-843-2710.

Notice Concerning Use of Pest Control Materials at District #777 Schools

Pesticide General Notice

 A Minnesota state law went into effect in year 2000 that requires schools to inform school staff, students, and parents if they apply certain pesticides on school property.

Specifically, this law requires schools that apply these pesticides to maintain an estimated schedule of pesticide applications and to make the schedule available to employees and parents for review or copying at the school office.

State law also requires that you be informed of the long-term health effects on children from the application of such pesticides or the class of chemicals to which they belong, may not be fully understood.

If there are any questions regarding the Benson Public Schools Pest managements program or you would like more information on the pesticide application schedule, please feel free to call the school at 320-843-2710.

AHERA Notice

As a result of federal legislation (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act - AHERA), each primary and secondary school in the nation is required to complete a stringent inspection for asbestos and to develop a plan of management for all asbestos-containing building materials.  The Benson Public Schools has a goal to be in full compliance with this law and is following the spirit, as well as the letter of the law.  As a matter of policy, the district shall continue to maintain a safe and healthful environment for our community’s youth and employees.

In keeping with this legislation, all buildings (including portables and support buildings) owned or leased by the Benson Public Schools were inspected by an EPA-accredited inspector, and an independent laboratory analyzed samples.  Based on the inspection, the school prepared, and the state approved a comprehensive management plan for handling the asbestos located within its buildings safely and responsibly.

Furthermore, the Benson Public Schools has completed the 3-year re-inspections required by AHERA. Our district buildings, where asbestos-containing building materials were found, are under repair, removal, and operations and maintenance. Benson Public Schools continues the Operations and Maintenance Program with respect to its asbestos-containing building materials.  Federal law requires a periodic walk-through (called “surveillance”) every six months of each area containing asbestos.  IEA, Inc. will accomplish this under contract. Short-term workers (outside contractors - i.e.: telephone repair workers, electricians, and exterminators) must be provided information regarding the location of asbestos in which they may come into contact.  All short-term workers shall contact the lead maintenance person before commencing work to be given this information.

The Benson Public Schools has a list of the locations(s) and type(s) of asbestos-containing materials found in that school building and a description and timetable for their proper management.  A copy of the Asbestos Management Plan is available for review in the school office.  Questions related to the plan should be directed to IEA, Inc. at 800-233-9513 or by contacting Benson Public Schools at 320-843-2710.

Lead-in-Water Annual Notification

Minnesota Statute 121A.335 requires public school buildings serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12 to test for lead in water every 5 years. Benson Public Schools have historically conducted and continues to conduct Lead in Drinking Water testing per the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines. If found, the District remediates lead levels following the Minnesota Department of Health guidelines and completes retesting prior to use.

Benson Public Schools are committed to providing a safe working and learning environment for employees and students. The district has developed a Lead in Water management plan and testing program that complies with the Minnesota Statute 121A.335, as well as Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), and Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)

More information on Benson Public School’s lead reduction program and testing result, is located on the website: www.benson.k12.mn.us