“There are approximately 12,000 classrooms statewide with a wide range of ventilation configurations,” said Inoshita, adding the DOE installed “over 7,100 minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV)-13 filters and 600 rolls of duct tape to convert 1,800 box fans to Corsi-Rosenthal box air cleaners.” The DOE responded by sharing a list of additional mitigation measures completed so far. “We continue to ask questions about that data - how did they get that data, what about the other rooms that are not listed, what about the other schools?” “When we looked at the data we got from them, it was just 40 schools throughout the state, only three of which were Big Island,” Tui said. Initial measurements collected from the carbon dioxide monitors were sent to the union, but data was from just 40 schools out of the 294-school district. “It wasn’t determined based on the size of the classroom,” adding “what is a box fan going to do when there’s no trade winds blowing in?” “The department did distribute to classrooms one box fan per classroom for most classrooms, but not all,” said HSTA President Osa Tui Jr. The concern extends to the implementation of the 12,000 new box fans.
“We don’t know if a parent goes to a school and says ‘can you tell me if my kids’ classroom is properly ventilated.’ We don’t know if principals are able to properly answer that question.” “I really couldn’t tell you what the measurements are,” Eshelman said. “Bringing fresh outdoor air into a building reduces virus concentration inside.”īut HSTA representatives feel many implementation and measurement strategies are not yet complete. “Improving ventilation is an important COVID-19 prevention strategy that can reduce SARS-CoV1 virus in the air,” the DOH guidance states.
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“Ventilation guidance for schools has been included in the department’s COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidance document.”Īdditional DOH Health and Safety Guidance ventilation strategies include moving activities and classes outdoors when possible, opening windows and doors, using fans, ensuring air-conditioning settings are maximizing ventilation, making sure ventilation systems are serviced and operating, placing exhaust fans in restrooms and kitchens, and setting HVAC systems (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) to bring in outdoor air. “The department is currently undertaking a facilities asset management assessment, using trained technicians and engineering teams,” he said. “We want an accurate list of the classrooms and work spaces that they have assessed, what that assessment standard was, whether they had communicated that with the employees and families that have students in those classrooms, and what the steps are going to be to address that.”ĭOE spokesman Derek Inoshita stated that since 2020, the department has invested in 4,200 high-efficiency particulate air purifiers, 650 carbon dioxide sensors, 12,000 box fans, 53 base stations and 396 sensors for a pilot remote-sensing dashboard at select schools. “We have been actively asking for information since the beginning of the pandemic around ventilation and classroom spaces. “Ventilation is absolutely important,” said HSTA Deputy Executive Director Andrea Eshelman, who serves as chief negotiator between the teachers’ union and the DOE.
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