Governor Brown Wants Plan for Radon, Lead Tests for Schools

Responding to an ongoing crisis of disclosures from school districts across the state about problems with lead in the drinking water and a lack of testing for radon, Gov. Kate Brown announced a series of steps Tuesday to turn things around.

"This week, the State Board of Education will take the first step in requiring every school district to develop a plan for health and safety assessments in their school facilities," Brown said in a statement. "Each school district would be required by rule to submit a Healthy and Safe Facilities Plan to the Oregon Department of Education this fall.

"School districts would also be required to report annually – and to the public – on the findings of their assessment, including any testing, results, and ongoing monitoring pursuant to the plan."

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Under her proposal, each district will be required to submit a Healthy and Safe Facilities Plan to the state's Department of Education by the fall.

Among the required elements in each plan would be:

A) Districts must have a staff position responsible for maintaining and implementing the Health and Safe Facilities Plan;

B) A list of all facilities owned, leased, or otherwise used as a school building by the school district or public charter school;

C) A plan to test for elevated levels of radon as required under ORS 332.167;

D) A plan to test for and reduce exposure to lead in drinking water, paint, dirt and dust in accordance with Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division recommendations and United States Environmental Protection Agency recommendations;

E) A plan to improve indoor air quality in accordance with United State Environmental Protection Agency recommendations for indoor air quality in schools;

F) A plan to test, monitor and improve ambient air quality in accordance with Department of
Environmental Quality recommendations; and

G) A plan to reduce exposure to toxics from hazardous waste sites in accordance with Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division recommendations.

Districts will also be required each year to make public the results of any testing.


 
"I am committed to ensuring Oregon school children have opportunities to thrive at school and that we are best preparing them for future success," Brown said.

"Every child has a right to learn in an environment that is safe. Any threat to the health and safety of a child in any school or classroom is unacceptable."