Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comments topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents urge use of portable HEPA purifiers and call for stronger communication and staffing support at BJM
Summary
Public commenters asked the board to allow teachers to use PTA-provided HEPA air purifiers to increase classroom air changes, and neighbors and staff raised concerns about communication consistency and teacher/ESP retention at BJM; a taxpayer requested agenda placement for county low-income property tax relief.
Several community members used the Dec. 17 public-comment period to press the board on health and building-level issues.
A PTA representative delivered a petition asking the board and ICSD to permit teachers to use portable HEPA air purifiers parents would provide, saying purifiers can increase air-changes-per-hour toward a 6 ACH target and citing ASHRAE guidance and recent CDC/EPA recommendations. The speaker said the PTA is not requesting district funding, only permission for teachers and staff to place and use purifiers in classrooms if they choose; she referenced examples from Boston and Connecticut as models for district action.
Steven Manley, who identified himself as a parent of three, asked the board to work with Superintendent Brown to develop clearer district expectations and supports for consistent school-to-family communication so families know what to expect from each building. Haley Dossinger, a long-time BJM staff member and parent, described local struggles with teacher and ESP retention, urged funding for building subs and greater support for ESPs, and asked the district to help BJM retain experienced staff.
Michael Hayes, who identified himself as a Tompkins County taxpayer with a disabled spouse, asked the board to place the county’s low-income property tax scale on the January agenda for possible approval or review, and offered to provide materials in advance.
Board members thanked commenters and said the district would follow up; the chair suggested placing the tax-related item on a finance-committee agenda because of its budget implications. No board action to change classroom air-quality practices or staffing allocations was taken at the Dec. 17 meeting.
