West Hants Middle School works on clean bill of health

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

As students prepare to return to school this week, it looks as though some may be displaced longer than planned.

West Hants Middle School students will continue to share space at Avon View High School as a split-class scheme designated to last a few months will likely drag into spring.

The Annapolis Valley Regional School Board announced last June that the middle school would be ready to welcome students back by Christmas break, however, the board now says that timeline has been extended along with a prolonged renovation period. “Our goal is too see students finish off the year in their home school, but at this point we can’t say when that will be,” said Margo Tait, Superintendant of Schools for the AVSB.

Ongoing construction at the school came to a halt as the Department of Education worked to re-evaluate conditions and potential health risks for students and staff. “Work has been on hiatus for the last couple of months for us to take another look at the readings from a health perspective and an Occupational Health and Safety perspective,” said Peter Howitt, Regional Director of Facilities Management with the Nova Scotia Department of Education during a recent open house information session. “We had a bit of a delay, but we wanted to make sure we hadn’t missed anything.”

Last year several students complained of symptoms and some teachers refused to return to work, citing an unhealthy workplace.

Not enough to dispel concerns

But a recent clean bill of health was not enough to dispel all concerns. “As a physician, I get involved with anything that has potential to make a community sick in groups or is making groups sick and I haven’t seen anything in the results that is a possible threat, and from that perspective I see no cause for concern,” said Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, Chief Medical Officer for Capital Health, who addressed parents that evening.

However, she adds there may be other factors involved affecting the well-being of students and teachers. “From my experience, although folks have health concerns and may be experiencing some symptoms, there is usually something else at the root of the problem. If it’s not air quality that is the source then something else needs to be addressed between the school, board and parents.”

She suggests the disruption of long-term renovations may be taking a toll on all parties.

Found nothing to suggest long-term health hazard

The Department of Education had contracted an independent study by

Dr. William Louch, Environmental Health and Safety Consultant, who said he saw nothing from reports generated or any data that would cause concern for the environment at the school. “Nothing we found suggested a significant long-term health hazard to staff or students. “The Department of Education wanted advise if there were any other unidentified problems that may need to be addressed before the building could be re-occupied,” he said.

However, his assessment did unearth some issues at the school that included inadequate ventilation, localized overheating, elevated levels of volatile organics from gasoline or paint fumes and a higher level of airborne particles as well as an isolated high Radon reading.

Louch notes those findings would not necessarily result in health issues or cause lasting damage unless there was prolonged exposure over a period of years. But he did say people react to their environment in different ways and some are more sensitive than others. “You really can’t be too wary of people’s complaints. We need to be carful not to discount reports that people are unwell. If they tell you they are feeling unwell then they are.”

Problems appear to be localized

He said the problems at the school appear to be localized and most stemmed directly from construction activity at the time. He advised testing should continue on the long-term. “The other side of this is you can never be too trusting of data,” he said. “Just because you didn’t find anything doesn’t mean it may not exist. It is prudent to go back and look at the school room by room.”

Louch shared those observations and recommendations for the upcoming construction season during the open house. “From an Occupational Health and Safety standpoint we want a successful construction project and ensure the specifications are done carefully and materials used are healthy and minimize any potential hazards,” he said. “Although people are anxious to get back in the building, we can’t cut any corners and it is possible to create a building that is a pleasure to work in, teach and learn in and should serve this community for another 25 years.”

Howitt said the building would be safe when it opens again for students. “This will be a state of the art school; it will be like a brand new building.”