BUENA REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Mailing Address: PO Box 309, Buena, NI 08310 Administrative Office: 914 Main Avenue, Richland, NJ 08350 Phone (856) 697-0800 Fax (856) 697-4963 www-buena.k12.nj.us Honoring Tradition. Inspiring Futures. DAVID C. CAPPUCCIO, JR. ‘Courtney MeNeely ‘Superintendent Pasquale Yacovelli, SFO Director of Curriculum & Instruction Business Admin./Board Secretary September 5, 2018 Dear Buena Regional Community and Staff Members: In an effort to maintain transparency, I am writing to share some factual information with you regarding an issue in two of our district's schools. Due to the recent spike in outside temperatures, including the extremely elevated levels of humidity, the presence of mold was detected within the Dr. JP. Cleary Elementary School, as well as the Collings Lakes Elementary ‘School. It is important to note that this was not a widespread issue. Rather, the mold was present in isolated areas. Upon notification, the district has taken significant action to remediate this matter and to ensure the safety and well-being of the students, faculty, and staff. The following measures have been taken: The Buildings & Grounds Supervisor and custodial staff completed a visual inspection of the reported affected areas, as well as surrounding areas within the identified schools, The Buildings & Grounds Supervisor purchased an appropriate mold cleansing agent and the custodial staff thoroughly cleaned and re-cleaned the affected areas and surrounding areas in both schools. The School Business Administrator contacted the Atlantic County Office of Education, ‘The Superintendent notified the Buena Regional Board of Education. The Superintendent contacted an external environmental company to obtain an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Inspection for the Dr. J.P. Cleary Elementary School and the Collings Lakes Elementary School. The [AQ inspection of both schools yielded results that warranted further remediation. As a result, the district mobilized the use of multiple air scrubbers and purchased several dehumidifiers to be placed within the affected rooms. Custodial staff, again, cleaned all affected/surrounding areas. ‘The Business Administrator authorized the district's HVAC maintenance vendor to make any necessary adjustments to the ventilation system in an effort to assist with the control of humility within the schools. Re-testing of the air quality at both schools was conducted. Results indicated that the affected areas within the Dr. IP. Cleary Elementary School were now within normal limits; however, the need for further remediation was ‘identified within those affected areas at the Collings Lakes Elementary School, ‘The environmental company, upon its re-inspection, recommended that the district utilize a professional cleaning service that is experienced with mold remediation. ‘The district has obtained these services and is currently immediately. ‘working with the service provider to assess our needs and to develop a course of action to begi ‘The affected rooms at Collings Lakes Elementary School will not be in use during this time, and those classrooms have been temporarily relocated within the school so as to minimize the impact on students” educational programming,BUENA REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Mailing Address: PO Box 309, Buena, NJ 08310 ‘Administrative Office: 914 Main Avenue, Richland, NJ 08350 Phone (856) 697-0800 Fax (856) 697-4963 www.buena K12.nj.us Honoring Tradition. Inspiring Futures. DAVID C. CAPPUCCIO, JR. Courtney McNeely Superintendent Pasquale Yacovelli, SFO Director of Curriculum & Instruction Business Admin/Board Secretary * The custodial staff at both schools will continue to visually inspect for mold, and regularly clean the buildings with the mold cleansing agent, as needed, while we work through this period of high humidity. ‘Again, I cannot stress enough the commitment the district has to the safety and well-being of all students, faculty, staff, and administration. At this time all schools in the Buena Regional School District will open on time tomorrow, September 6.2018. I will continue to keep you apprised of any further developments. On behalf of the entire school district, I would like to thank you for your continued support as we navigate through this challenge. If you should any further questions, please feel free contact me at the Buena Regional Board of Education Office. Thank you. Sincerely, David C. Cappuccio, Jr. Superintendent of Schools ce File