Making schools a healthy place to be

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Last updated November 14, 2008 2:57 p.m. PT

Making schools a healthy place to be

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER EDITORIAL BOARD

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/387913_schoolhealthed.html

In an era of rising academic standards, there is no more fundamental

responsibility than moving up today's very low bar for the health

and safety of school children, teachers and staff. The upcoming

legislative session will be a make-or-break opportunity for

intelligent decisions in favor of healthy schools.

Legislators must use a school finance reform study to guarantee

districts put money into schools' environmental health and

buildings, science lab and playground safety. Otherwise, students,

their families and teachers will continue to face large, avoidable

costs in illness, injury and, in some cases, disability.

The state Board of Health has been engaged in a long, thoughtful

exploration of everything from lead-contaminated school water to

toxic mold in buildings. Its work documents that the costs of safer

conditions would be repaid many times over in reduced health

expenditures, not to mention improved academic performance. For

instance, in a state with high asthma rates, improvements in indoor

air quality would translate into big savings on asthma treatment.

Yet, the prospect of any expenses has caused such concern among some

educators that the board has stopped short of adopting a new safety

and health rule until June while legislators look at financial

issues. The board should strengthen its rule on mold notifications

to parents and move ahead in June, with or without funding answers.

But lawmakers have creative options. Mark , who helped raise

water quality concerns in Seattle Public Schools, says a new school

finance package could guarantee a share of school budgets, based on

2 percent of building replacement costs, go to maintenance.

also suggests letting districts with voter-approved funds for

construction divert some of the money to overcome huge maintenance

backlogs. He thinks that creating a three-person state Department of

Health response team for indoor air-quality problems could do a lot

for schools while protecting the general public immensely during

flood recoveries.

Health board documents show members have agonized over the human

health toll from lead poisoning, chemical exposures, mold and other

problems. Members also understand the hard budget choices forced on

schools. Legislators and Gov. Gregoire must provide the vision

to protect health in schools without wrecking education budgets or

running up taxpayer costs.

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