Audubon School Conducts Radon Testing

At their February meeting the Audubon School Board was updated on the Radon Testing that was conducted over Christmas break.  Although Radon Testing is not currently required for schools the administration and head custodian Brad Stroeher thought that it would be a good idea to get a radon reading from both buildings.

“With the remodeling project scheduled for this summer at the elementary building it just makes sense for us to evaluate our Radon levels in case we would need to install some additional equipment with our new HVAC system,” stated Superintendent Gibbs.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is measure in pCi/L (picocuries per liter).  Levels can vary throughout the year and may increase where soil has been disturbed such as when new construction occurs. Long-term exposure to high levels of Radon has been shown to cause cancer in some cases.  The Environmental Protection Agency has made the following recommendations concerning indoor Radon levels:

            Short-term risk          -  .6 to 1.9 pCi/L

            Further Testing         - 2.0 to 3.9 pCi/L

            Action Level               - 4.0 and up pCi/L

The following radon levels were measured at the elementary building:

            Pre-K Room   – 1.2 pCi/L

            Room 106      -  1.5 pCi/L

            Cafeteria        -   2.2 pCi/L – Further testing recommended

            Room 201      -  1.9 pCi/L

The following radon levels were measured at the 5 – 12 building:

            Band Room    - .8 pCi/L

            Cafeteria        - .8 pCi/L

            Chemistry      - 2.6 pCi/L – Further testing recommended

            M.S. Hallway   - 3.8 pCi/L – Further testing recommended

Although all testing sites were below the “Action Level” as set by the EPA the school will do further testing over the summer.  Legislation has been introduced this year in Des Moines that would require schools to test for Radon beginning in 2025 and every ten years after that.  The state is also talking about methods to provide funding to help districts that do need to take action to lower Radon levels.

Audubon Hometown Shopko Supports Education

Superintendent Brett Gibbs recently received a check on behalf of the Audubon Community School from Michelle Hansen, Manager, Shopko Foundation and Public Relations.  The check, in the amount of $2,000, was from the Audubon Hometown Shopko store as part of their, “Help Us Give Back” campaign.

According to Hansen, “the Shopko Foundation is proud to support education in our Hometown communities. Thanks to the community’s support, Audubon School District has been awarded $2,000 as part of this campaign.”

The Audubon School plans on using the Shopko donation to promote student reading through the updating of individual classroom reading libraries in 1^st through 6^th grades.