News Summary
Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School in Ahwatukee remains closed due to hazardous air quality from ongoing roof repairs. Initially scheduled to reopen by early August, testing has shown air pollutant levels considerably exceeding safe limits. The district is relocating students to nearby campuses and prioritizing health and safety. Parents have raised concerns over communication regarding the air quality issues, but the district is committed to regular updates and ensuring a safe environment for students and staff.
Ahwatukee, Arizona—Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School Extension of Closure Due to Hazardous Air Quality from Roof Repairs
Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School in Ahwatukee will remain closed through at least the fall break after health and safety concerns related to ongoing roof repairs and poor air quality. This extension comes after initial delays and ongoing testing aimed at safeguarding students and staff from potentially harmful airborne contaminants.
Reason for Closure and Current Status
The school’s closure was originally prompted by the discovery of elevated air pollutants linked to roof repair work. The district announced this week that the closure would extend beyond the original plans, citing continued hazardous conditions. The roof work, which involves asphalt and other materials known for off-gassing, was temporarily paused to conduct air quality testing. Results indicated that airborne particulate matter levels at the site were 28 times higher than thresholds considered safe by the U.S. Green Building Council.
While repairs were initially scheduled to be completed by early August, ongoing testing has consistently shown air quality levels that pose health risks. As a result, district officials have decided to keep the school closed for a longer period, with no current target date for reopening.
Student Relocations and Interim Facilities
During the closure, students formerly attending Kyrene de la Sierra are being accommodated at nearby campuses. These include the Cerritos/Altadeña campus, as well as Kyrene de la Esperanza. The district has advised families to prepare for students to remain at these alternative locations until at least winter break, unless repairs are completed sooner.
Ongoing Air Quality Testing and Future Steps
Officials plan to conduct follow-up air quality testing once roof repair work resumes. These tests will identify whether contaminants levels decrease to safe limits after repairs are finished. The district emphasized that the primary focus is to ensure the safety and health of the school community before any further reopening decisions are made.
Community and District Response
Concerns about air quality conditions and communication from district officials have been expressed during recent district governing board meetings. Parents have voiced frustration over how information about the issue was handled. The initial complaint about undesirable odors was filed on July 21, but district representatives stated they were unaware of the problem until formal reports surfaced days later.
Parents have questioned the timeline and safety measures, asserting that delays may have exposed children to harmful chemicals. The district has assured families that safety remains its top priority and that efforts are underway to expedite repairs and testing processes.
Health and Testing Details
Preliminary air quality tests showed increased levels of particulate matter, which could include dust, chemicals, or other substances associated with asphalt and construction-related off-gassing. Additional testing is expected shortly to analyze specific chemicals present in the air. These results will determine whether air quality has improved sufficiently to consider resuming normal school activities.
Timeline and Future Plans
The district began the closure on August 4, coordinating a shift to online learning for one week before relocating students to alternative campuses on August 11. The district has stated that repairs involving asphalt and other materials producing off-gassing are expected to be completed by October. Meanwhile, officials have committed to providing regular updates about repair status and impacts on school operations through their website.
Conclusion
Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School’s closure in Ahwatukee reflects ongoing safety concerns stemming from roof repairs and resultant air quality issues. The district continues to prioritize health protocols, with plans for continued testing and communication, while parents and stakeholders await further updates on the reopening timeline.
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Additional Resources
- ABC15
- Wikipedia: Air Quality
- AZ Family
- Google Search: Kyrene de la Sierra Closure
- Fox 10 Phoenix
- Google Scholar: Air Quality in Schools
- AZ Central
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Construction
- Ahwatukee News
- Google News: Kyrene de la Sierra
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