News Summary
The Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School in Ahwatukee remains closed due to hazardous air quality caused by ongoing roofing repairs. The closure, initially set for August, has been prolonged as air quality tests indicated dangerous levels of particulate matter, prompting the relocation of students to nearby schools. Officials emphasize that the safety of students and staff is their top priority, and updates will be provided as work progresses.
Ahwatukee Extends Closure of Kyrene de la Sierra Due to Hazardous Air Quality
The city of Ahwatukee continues to face disruptions at the Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School, where the campus will remain closed through at least fall break because of ongoing roof repairs and dangerous air quality levels.
Extended Closure and Relocation of Students
School officials announced this week that the closure initially scheduled for early August has been extended. The decision to keep the Kyrene de la Sierra campus closed is rooted in the hazardous air conditions caused by construction activities, particularly roofing work involving asphalt materials and potential off-gassing.
Students formerly enrolled at the Sierra campus have been relocated to other district schools, specifically Cerritos/Altadeña and Kyrene de la Esperanza. The district indicated that these measures are necessary to safeguard students and staff from exposure to potentially harmful fumes and particulate matter.
Air Quality Testing Reveals Dangerous Levels
The closure came after air quality assessments showed particulate matter levels that were 28 times higher than the acceptable threshold established by the U.S. Green Building Council. Roofing work was temporarily halted when these results emerged, prompting further testing to determine the exact nature and concentration of indoor air pollutants.
Follow-up testing will be performed once roof repairs recommence, with efforts focused on completing the work as swiftly as possible to minimize disruption. The school district has emphasized that ensuring student and staff safety remains their top priority, even if that means extending the closure through winter break.
Impact on School Operations and Community Response
The ongoing issue has led to discussions at the district’s Governing Board meeting, where parents expressed frustration over the district’s communication and response timeline regarding the air quality concerns. The first report of a bad smell at the campus was made on July 21, but district officials stated they were unaware of the problem until a formal complaint was submitted days later.
Concerns from parents include worries about their children’s exposure to chemicals and the district’s perceived delay in addressing the situation. The district’s communication about the timeline for repairs and safety measures has been scrutinized, with community members calling for increased transparency and more prompt action.
Roof Repairs and Future Expectations
The initial plan was to closure the school starting August 4, with students engaging in a week of online learning while roof repairs progressed. The repairs involve materials that off-gas, prompting health and safety concerns.
The district anticipates completing the roof work by October. During this period, students are advised to prepare for continued attendance at alternative campuses until repairs are finalized.
District officials are committed to providing regular updates on the progress of roof replacement and the impact on school operations through their official website, aiming to keep families and staff informed throughout this process.
Background and Context
The issue at Kyrene de la Sierra became public after district officials initially closed the campus on August 4, citing roof repairs and air quality concerns. However, it was only after reports of foul odors and elevated particulate levels that the district recognized the severity of the problem. The community’s response reflects broader concerns about school safety and communication during health-related emergencies.
Preliminary air quality tests indicated high particulate matter concentrations, with additional testing pending to identify specific chemicals present in the indoor environment. The district has acknowledged the need for comprehensive testing and remediation to ensure the environment is safe for return.
While the district has paused roof work during testing to prevent further contamination, it plans to resume repairs promptly once air quality levels are deemed safe. The situation remains under ongoing assessment, with official updates expected as more data becomes available.
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Additional Resources
- ABC15
- Wikipedia: Air Quality
- AZ Family
- Google Search: Kyrene de la Sierra Closure
- Fox 10 Phoenix
- Google Scholar: Air Quality in Schools
- AZ Central
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Construction
- Ahwatukee News
- Google News: Kyrene de la Sierra
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