Parents call for ‘transparent’ air quality guidelines in Waterloo Region public schools

Several parent delegates aired out their concerns regarding the inconsistent guidelines for maintaining acceptable air quality at last night’s Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) meeting.

A motion was approved that will see a special committee created to develop a clear policy and look into the placement and replacement of air purifiers, the advantages and cost-effectiveness of CR boxes, appropriate window use, portable CO2 monitors and other emerging technology.

The Ad Hoc committee, when formed, will also work on a reporting procedure that would inform parents, parent councils and staff about the quality of air in classrooms and working environments.

All of the delegates were in support of the motion recommended by staff, and they all stress the importance of the policy’s transparency. One of the speakers, surnamed Abdul, said they’re too vague and open for interpretation.

“Like for example, ‘open the windows when appropriate’. What does that mean? I get the logic. Fresh air. But what if it’s cold? What if there’s smoke? What if there’s pollen? What if it’s just hot and we have the AC on? We need clear guidelines, not just a play-it-by ear approach,” said Abdul.

Adam Glauser, another delegate, echoed Abdul’s concerns.

“Creating a body with responsibility to focus on this topic is an important step to address the problems that I, other parents and community members have highlighted with the WRDSB’s approach to air quality and the lack of transparency surrounding it,” noted Glauser.

Glauser added that the pandemic, as well as the wildfires in Northern Ontario and Quebec, are reminders about the importance of air quality. He likened it to the measures taken to have clean drinking water.

“I want to know the same things about the air that my family and I breathe indoors as I do about the water that we drink,” said Glauser. “How is it cleaned? Who is responsible? How often is it tested and what are the results? I want it to be easy for any interested parent to know the answers to these questions. Currently that couldn’t be further from the truth.”

Ryan Tennant is another one of the delegates who is a former WRDSB student, and he suggested a motion to call on the province to take further action to improve air ventilation, filtration, and purification in its schools.

The new policy will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval during a Committee of the Whole meeting in March 2024.