Iowa City School District Following Precautions to Prevent Student Exposure to Landfill Smoke

School administrators have been busy plume watching today, trying to gauge how to avoid the column of smoke from the fire.

According to a district press release, school administrators have been limiting outside activities whenever possible, eliminating outdoor activities completely whenever the smoke plume drifts toward a particular school building. The district is also recommending that children with asthma or breathing difficulties stay within the school even when the smoke plume is not nearby.

District superintendent Steve Murley sent a message to parents today assuring them that the district is in contact with the Johnson County Health Department and will react if the situation worsens.

"At this time we have been assured that our students and staff are safe and our schools remain open," Murley wrote.

City officials said that an air test sample taken Monday from , one of the schools closest to the landfill, that were in the area, revealing no additional chemicals in the air than what is expected from a fire of this type.

Physical plant staff have also when possible modified building air intake systems so air from the outside is not recirculated into the building.

With all this, the district said in the release that if the administration is concerned about the levels of smoke, it could shorten school days or cancel school for safety concerns.

"Our first and most important duty is to safeguard the health and safety of our students and staff.  If for any reason we are concerned that this is an issue we will consider early dismissal, late start, or school cancellation," Murley wrote in his message to parents.