EPA Honors Bellinghma, WA School District for Exemplary Indoor Air Quality Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 2008 Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools (IAQ TfS) has honored the Bellingham School District with the Model of Sustained Excellence Award with for its exemplary efforts to improve indoor air quality for students and staff.

"The Bellingham School District is demonstrating national leadership through its commitment to promote good indoor air quality in their community's schools," said Elizabeth Cotsworth, director of EPA's office of radiation and indoor air. "Their work is helping to protect the health of students, faculty and staff.  We are proud of their valuable efforts, and commend them on this outstanding accomplishment."

The IAQ Tools for Schools Model of Sustained Excellence award recognizes schools that have demonstrated an enduring commitment to student and staff health and wellness by building, evaluating, sustaining and institutionalizing robust and highly effective school IAQ management programs.  Only 10 schools or school districts in the nation have received this award since its inception in 2005.

"We are so proud that our efforts are recognized as it confirms the progress we've made creating and maintaining safe and healthy indoor environments for the public, our staff and students.  The evidence that indoor air quality directly and positively affects teacher effectiveness and student achievement makes this success all the more rewarding," said Mike Anderson, buildings and grounds manager for Bellingham Public Schools.

The award will be presented Dec. 4, at the IAQ Tools for Schools National Symposium at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C.

For more information about the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Program, visit www.epa.gov/iaq/schools.

Bellingham, WA School District Information Website