School District No. 46 (SD46) is looking at changing protocols around how they alert parents to school renovations and how they share information with those concerned.
The policy change comes after a large group of parents signed a petition protesting renovation work going on at Langdale Elementary School. Among the many concerns cited with the work were sanding of metal doors that could contain lead paint, timing of the renovation work when school is in session, possible toxicity of products used, a lack of ventilation and increased risk for students with compromised immune systems, asthma or allergies. A total of 60 residents signed the petition, which asked SD46 to halt all work until concerns could be addressed.
SD46 superintendent of schools Patrick Bocking said the work being done at Langdale elementary is part of "regular maintenance" and includes installing arborite walls, trim and wallpaper and painting of the walls and trim around doors in the common areas.
He said all of the work being done is "completely safe" and that SD46 tested paint to ensure it's lead free.
"We've very carefully dealt with the concerns," Bocking said. "The workers that we have are Red Seal certified trades people and they work safely, that's part of what their training is, so we were very comfortable about it. But when some parents were concerned, they contacted Vancouver Coastal Health and Worksafe B.C. to say, 'hey we're not sure if this is OK, what do you people think?' So they put their environmental health experts on it and they interviewed us and our workers and investigated at the site."
Bocking said on Friday, May 3, medical health officer Paul Martiquet sent out a letter stating that all SD46 procedures met or exceeded expectations in terms of safety for children in the school.
The news came late for parents who were concerned about the renovations since they started in the middle of February. Some parents have been keeping their kids at home since the work began.
Marilyn Baines, who is a member of the concerned citizens' group in Langdale that started the petition, said assurances of safety have been given throughout the renovation, but she noted parents want to see the tests and reports to make their own informed decisions.
"I believe that Patrick Bocking believes this is safe. He's a man of integrity for sure, but the detail of parents' concerns were not being listened to. They weren't dealt with and children were considered to be at risk. There are three families that I know of that removed their children from the school because of this," she said.
The group laid out their concerns in a letter forwarded to the board of education on April 26. In that letter parents asked the board to halt all renovations immediately and to resume work in the summer. They also asked that the concerns raised to date be "fully addressed," that children not attending school due to the renovations receive educational support and that SD46 improve their policies and procedures around health and safety, indoor air quality, renovations, communication and conflict resolution.
While the full request was denied (parents were invited to submit an appeal) Bocking said SD46 is now looking at changing their policies to better alert and inform parents before school renovations begin.
"This is actually new to us, the level of concern that people are exhibiting now, and I'm pleased that they are because asking these types of questions are important. If parents want more information we're happy to provide it," Bocking said.
Talk about changing SD46 policies around school renovations will likely take place at the next operations committee.
