HEAT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

REPORT TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATIONDECEMBER 18, 2012

BackgroundHeath & safety of children/staff of paramount

importance

Schools on south campus not air-conditioned

Several concerns from staff re: lack of productive learning environment during “heat” days, concerns for health of students

Formed Advisory Committee to analyze current conditions and discuss potential solutions to mitigate situation

Committee GoalsDiscuss current facility needs and limitations

Brainstorm and analyze potential short-term and long-term solutions

Prepare a report for the Board of Education

Committee met September – December6 timesRepresentatives from certified & support staff at

all schools, administration and parent

Committee Members Susan Banks, Adaptive PE MS

David Brown, Principal EW

Scott Burke, Facilities Mgr ESC

Lori Casey, Assoc. Sup. Ed. ESC

Neva Cosmos, Bridges EW

Julie Fredrickson, Parent PRI/MS

Liz Helgren, Nurse EW

Ken Hyllberg, Principal EE

Sherri Kunesh, 1st grade EW

Committee Members Peter Lasko, Union Pres./3rd grade EE

Kristi LeFevre, 3rd grade EE

Chuck Martin, Maintenance INT

Amanda Metcalf, Kind. Spec. Ed. PRI

Angie Miller, Kindergarten PRI

Chris Mistrata, PE PRI

Allison Schmitt, Self-containted Spec. EE

Don Selzer, Director of O/F ESC

Nancy Waggoner, Superivsor/AP PRI

Analyzed Current FacilitiesAnalyzed current facility

Report from O/F re: current facilities and infrastructure (electrical, structural)

District vulnerabilities during heat days Instructional environmentHealth of students and staff

Discussed and analyzed possible short-term and long-term solutions

Criteria for analysis of solutions

Health and safety of students and staff

Improvement of instructional learning environment

Feasibility

Costs

Policy AnalysisSub-committee compared and analyzed policies and

administrative procedure Nationally – AZ, CA, FL, IL Locally – D46 (Grayslake), D204 (Naperville)

Emergency plan should address – mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery

Topics to include in administrative procedures Rationale, safety procedures for students/staff, signs and

treatment of heat injuries, strategies for transporting students, heat advisory precautions for daily operations and outdoor activities, communication plans (families/staff), O/F protocols, guidelines for student and health needs, data from NOAA and FAQ’s.

Research Data Contacted outside experts to assist in analysis

and discussions Illinois State Board of Education State Climatologist Office for IllinoisU.S. Department of Education Emergency

Management for School Technical Assistance Center (REMS)

American Academy of PediatricsNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

ISBE Guidance – Extreme HeatAmend school calendar to start school at a later

date

Dismissal after 5 clock hours of instruction

Utilize emergency day

Utilize interrupted day

Extreme Heat defined – “An excessive heat watch/warning is issued for a maximum heat index of 110 or greater and minimum temperatures for at least 48 hours.” (source NOAA)

Outcomes/Next StepsConsider drafting administrative procedures for

extreme heat emergencies

Permission to draft policy language for 4:170 Safety

Develop communication plan StaffFamiliesCommunity

Permission to analyze pros/cons of emergency school closing for heat