Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities Maintenance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Student reports bathroom gaps and foul odor after lockdown drill; district schedules tests and inspection
Summary
A student told the board that large stall gaps and intermittent sewage-like smells during a lockdown drill caused nausea and safety concerns. District facilities staff said they will have Needham test the area and bring in a contractor for further inspection and will report back.
A student reported to the Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk Board that during a recent lockdown drill a classmate pointed out large gaps in girls’ bathroom stalls and a recurring foul odor that left students feeling nauseous and seeking the nurse.
"In case of an actual lockdown emergency... the girl bathroom... have these really big gaps... it's a safety hazard," the student said, describing both structural gaps and intermittent sewage‑like smells that at times permeated hallways.
Board members recounted a history of sewage and basement odor issues and noted that some prior problems were linked to an old steam/hydronics system and trapped moisture. Facilities staff, referenced in the meeting as Mr. Grama and operations personnel, told the board they had scheduled Needham to test the system and would bring a contractor to diagnose the source.
Superintendent Chandler and facilities staff pledged to investigate and provide an update to the board once testing and contractor review are completed. The transcript records the promise of follow-up but does not include a timeline for repairs or remediation costs.
The board did not discuss any formal mitigation timeline during the meeting; parents and staff are advised to await the district’s facilities update.
