EAST ORANGE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

MR. KEITH HINTON II, CHAIRPERSON

June, 2017

The HSSC met on June 7, 2017. Prior to the meeting, the team did a follow up walkthrough of East Orange Campus High School (C wing). Work has been either completed or in progress. Summer repair lists by the maintenance department will be available at the EOEA for review. This year each school will have a priority issue to be fixed along with the usual summer lists. The HSSC met and discussed future school visits and tentative dates for the 2017- 2018 school year.  The schools are as follows:  

 September 21, 2017- Tyson Middle/High (2nd Floor)

 October 12, 2017- Tyson Follow up visit

 November 2, 2017- Tyson Middle/ High (1st Floor)

 December 7, 2017- Tyson Follow up visit

 January 11, 2018- EO Campus (A/B wing)

 February 8, 2018- EO Campus Follow up visit

 March 8, 2018- Langston Hughes

 April 12, 2018- Langston Hughes Follow up visit

 May 10, 2018- Mildred B. Garvin

 June 7, 2018- Mildred B. Garvin Follow up visit

I am pleased with the improvements made. With the help of you and the Board of Ed., we will try and continue to get the district where it needs to be!

I hope all of you have a Safe, Fun, and Restful summer. I can’t wait to work with you next year!

May, 2017

The HSSC met on April 19, 2017. Prior to the meeting we did a follow up walkthrough of Edmondson Fresh Start High School and Fresh Start Middle School. The Head custodian at Fresh Start Middle High presented the checklist with the work orders on them. This was very helpful with our inspection. Our next meeting is May 10, 2017 at EOCHS wing C. 

Some issues and new business that has been brought to the attention of the HSSC are as follows:

Healy –

There was a problem with mice in the cafeteria.  It was reported that the problem has been resolved.  The pest control company has put down traps.  They like to take a low-impact attempt first.  This problem often occurs when construction is being done.

PARS Visit

• PARS is an environmental company that deals with hazardous waste communication.  Two representatives of the company are out visiting every building.  They are there to look through all closets, cabinets, and drawers to look at the chemicals being used in the schools.  This company is advising the district on how to treat people whose skin comes in contact with these chemicals.  These chemicals are put into a state database so that the district is in compliance.
• Many cleaners are asthma triggers.  They must be low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound).  Teachers and other non-custodial staff should not bring in outside cleaners into the building.  Custodians should use district cleaners to wipe down desks, tables, shelves, etc.

EOCHS-

Many people in the building have keys to the elevator.  Mr. Lambkin recommended that the key distribution be limited.

Heat-

Heat is officially shut off on April 15, but the principal can request that the head custodian turn the heat on for a few minutes in the morning to take the chill off.  Other than that, heat should be off in all buildings at this time.

Ceiling Tiles

• The committee has been receiving emails about water damage to ceiling tiles.  The question was raised whether there is a deeper problem when the tiles are water damaged.  It was explained that it is recommended to take out the old tiles immediately after the damage happens and wait to replace them until the roof is repaired.
• Ceiling tiles have been on back order but the order should be coming in soon. 
• Roofers are in the district now working on roofs at various schools

*** Members please direct building concerns to your Rep and they will channel it to the head custodian, then me. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.



April, 2017

The HSSC will meet on April 19, 2017. Prior to the meeting we will do a follow up walkthrough of Edmonson Fresh Start High School and Fresh Start Middle School. Some issues and new business that has been brought to the attention of the HSSC are as follows:

• EOCHS-

 The elevator is fixed, so that is resolved. Part of the problem is that this elevator must be used for freight as well as people. There is a 2500 lb. limit. Swipe cards are not always working. The only area where it is not working is the Gallery. Teachers are to still sign in. The swipe cards are not set up to take attendance.

• Custodial Shortage-

If a custodian is out for a long term, they will have a replacement at the school. For absences that are three days or less, custodians at the school will be doing double shifts and covering for absent custodians.

• Pest Control-

Just to inform you, there is a district wide contract for pest control. They are supposed to address issues in the IPM binder located in the office, and to monitor problems. They are supposed to get more aggressive with treatment, when necessary.

• Identification of Visitors-

Questions were asked about visitors in the schools (parents, contracted workers, teachers, and other staff). Some schools do not have the proper ID’s and other schools have visitor badges. Dr. Harvest suggested we go to TALC and ask the building principal what the accurate process is. There is no formal District policy. Please wear your ID at all times.

*** Members - please direct building concerns to your Rep and they will channel it to the head custodian, then me. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.



March, 2017

The HSSC met on March 8, 2017. After the meeting, we did a walkthrough of Edmondson Fresh Start High School and Fresh Start Middle School. The high school was kept very well and little issues were present. The outside was being updated with a renovated foundation. The middle school had little issues also. The follow up visit will be April 19, 2017. Some issues and new business that has been brought to the attention of the HSSC are as follows:

• School Dudes-There are many issues listed on School Dudes that are not being addressed. At Carver School, for example, some of the things were put into School Dudes that we observed last month, but were not addressed. They have made roof repairs and believe that there will be no more leaking in that area of the building. Mr. Santos and Mr. Lambkin have stated some of the issues will be fixed by custodians at their schools. They also stated that there is a priority of getting issues fixed. We will keep you updated on this matter.
• Key Cards (Healy) -Mr. Reed is still working on security at the Complex.  The key cards for Healy School cannot be found.  The administrator has no idea where the cards are.  These cards were originally given to one of the previous administrators when five years ago.  Mr. Bailey will reach out to the administrator and attempt to resolve this issue.
• Key Cards (Garvin)- When the system was first installed, there were key cards.  The principal at that time did not want to reissue the cards.  This issue is currently being studied and the current principal would like to issue the cards, if possible.
• EOCHS- The Science Lab is still not being used.  Mr. Lambkin said that the funds have been transferred to repair the roof.  It should be done in approximately two weeks.  There is a problem between the connection of the greenhouse and bricks. The elevator is finished and has some small issues but is working! The max capacity is 2500 lbs.
• Coverage for Security Guards- In the absence of a guard, Mr. Reed usually calls someone from the night shift to come in.  Sometimes principals place teachers on their school-service periods are used to cover security desks.  A custodian should not be covering for a security guard.
• Lockdown- Mr. Reed explained that staff and students are expected to lockdown in whatever room they are in at that time.  If the lockdown lasts for an extended period of time, we would increase police presence and not keep the children locked down.

*** Members please direct building concerns to your Rep and they will channel it to the head custodian, then me. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.



February, 2017

The HSSC met on January 11, 2017. After the meeting we did a walkthrough of Carver Elementary School. Due to the fact that East Orange does not own the building, repairs are limited. For example, the roof is in need of replacement. The follow up visit was February 8, 2017. The roof was patched and sealed to stop leaks!

Some issues and new business that has been brought to the attention of the HSSC are as follows:

Whitney Houston-

An air test was conducted.  The results are back and nothing was found. Mr. Lambkin explained that he had removed and replaced the tiles so it is clean in that room.

EOCHS-

• Room C167 (Science Lab)-The ceiling was removed to repair the pipes.  These pipes are being rerouted but the repairmen are waiting for another heavy rain to reassess. The cold rooms should be better now.  The boiler was taken care of on January 10.
• Elevator-The repairs will commence on January 17.  This is in such bad shape that it will practically need to be rebuilt.  It is used for cargo but should only be used for people.
• Lastly, it was asked if the outside cameras are working.  They are working.  It was reported that the district has hired a personal security monitor because it is such a big school.

STEM-

 Lighting outside…The repairs have been made.  Also, a timer was put on the exterior lights. The heat was due to a thermostat issue. It was hopefully resolved.

Cochran-

The auditorium has had the seats replaced with chairs salvaged from the old Washington Academy School.  The chairs were thoroughly cleaned and some were given new armrests.  The carpet will be replaced over the summer.

Healy-

The auditorium is scheduled for work after the winter.  The aisles will be carpeted and the seating will be laminate.  The job will take 6-8 weeks.

*** Members please direct building concerns to your Rep and they will channel it to the head custodian, then me. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation. ***

January, 2017

The HSSC met on December 15, 2016 at 1 P.M. at the Board of Education. Before the meeting the team completed a follow up of Patrick Healy Middle School. The building had many incomplete issues. The head custodian checked to make sure they were put in school dudes. A walk-through followed a meeting at the Board of Education at 1P.M.

Some issues and new business that have been brought to the attention of the HSSC are as follows:

• Garbage Collection at Complex-

Ms. Landon reported that the dumpster in the back has been removed.  There is no trash on the ground at this time.  Mr. Santos added that the custodians are keeping an eye on the area because it is often used by people in the community to dump trash.

• Elevators at Campus-

The elevators at EOCHS are scheduled to be repaired on January 17.  There has been an ongoing investigation with the insurance company and the contractor.  The quote has been generated and it will probably be fixed.

• Custodial Issues-  

Mr. Santos asked that any cleanliness issues be forwarded to him. Head custodians have a daily checklist at all schools for each of their custodians.  When there is a problem, the custodian is given a chance to fix the problem before being written up.

• Fighting Off School Grounds-

The school district is responsible for the students from portal to portal (school to home). Mr. Reed stated that within these parameters, we also use common sense in determining the location of the incident in relationship to the location of the home, and the time of the incident.

The next meeting of the HSSC will be held on January 11, 2017 at 9:30 AM.

Continue to keep me informed with issues in your buildings.

Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.



December, 2016

The HSSC met on November 16, 2016 at 9 A.M. at the EOEA. After the meeting, the team completed a follow up of Patrick Healy Middle School. The building had some issues that could be resolved through school dudes. Some issues and new business that have been brought to the attention of the HSSC are as follows

• Process for Reporting to School Dudes-Report the problem to the principal and the head custodian.  There is a 3 day turn around for most non-emergent problems.

• Wahlstrom - Some rooms have been extremely hot.  Mr. Lambkin reports that these issues have been resolved.

• Tyson - A Pre K classroom was extremely warm.  Mr. Lambkin made some calls during the meeting to have this addressed.
  

•  Security guards are an issue because it seems they cannot do the job and be friends with the students. Mr. Reed explained that the guards are encouraged to form relationships with students in order to share information to prevent problems before they happen.  Security is trying to keep ahead of problems that could occur.  This topic will be brought up in the administrators/security meetings.  At these meetings they will discuss how to form these relationships. 

• Importance of School Safety Drills - Dr. Harvest wants the importance of school safety drills stressed to the membership.  These drills should be taken very seriously. PLEASE comply to the drills and ensure your students take them serious too.

The next meeting of the HSSC will be December 15, 2016 at 10:30 AM. We will do a walk-through followed by a meeting at the Board at 1P.M. Continue to keep me informed of issues in your buildings.

Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.



November, 2016

The HSSC met on October 12, 2016 at 1 P.M. at the Board of Education. Prior to the meeting the team completed a follow up of Whitney Houston Academy. After an inspection, about 25% of the issues were fixed or in progress. Most of the work is difficult to complete because of the age of the school. Some issues and new business that has been brought to the attention of the HSSC are as follows:

1. STEM-The drywall is newly done.  Maintenance is just waiting for it to dry before painting.
2. Tyson-Some rooms, including room 16, are incredibly hot.  The HSSC is waiting for Mr. Lambkin’s update. 
3. Jackson- Extensive carpet removal on the third floor was completed during the summer.  Some window upgrades were also done at Jackson Academy.
4. 4.        Bed Bugs- The protocol for bed bugs is that the nurse calls the Health Department.  The Health Department then goes out to the home and makes recommendations to the homeowner/landlord.  The policy does not include what happens if the parents don’t cooperate.  This policy needs to be revised.
5. STEM-The second floor computer lab is extremely hot.  The computers themselves are extremely hot.  There are already big fans in there but they are not helping.  Mr. Lambkin will go over to assess the situation.
6. Hart Complex-There is a new garbage area that was built on the side of the building but the custodians are not using it.  They are still using the old dumpsters, which are on a piece of land that The EOBOE doesn’t own.  Mr. Lambkin will speak to the custodians and ensure that this is changed.
7. Louverture-There is a brand new boiler unit in place and it emits a smell from the oils burning off.  The complaints would be much less if people were told ahead of time to expect a smell until the boiler is broken in.  This applies to many other situations as well.  Communication is key in preventing complaints.  Ms. Greadington would like a standard protocol in place for administrators to inform the staff of situations like this or of work being done in the building.  She is working towards this happening.

The next meeting of the HSSC will be on November 16, at 9:00 AM at the EOEA Office, followed by a walk-through of Healy School. Members please direct building concerns to your Rep and they will channel it to me. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.



October, 2016

Thank you for your e- mails about building issues. They have been brought to the attention of the maintenance department. 

STEM-Room 123, 111, cafeteria, auditorium- It was reported by STEM staff that there may be mold in these areas. An air quality test will be administered by the maintenance dept. Charles Mitchell was reached by phone and said this job was completed.  Mitchell stated the room only needs painting.

Cochran-A report was sent to the EOEA about a possible mold situation.  Charles Mitchell reported that an air quality test was done and we are waiting for the results.

There were some calendar changes due to conflicts with scheduling on the boards members.

The updated school visits are as follows:

• September 14, 2016- Houston Academy
• October 12, 2016 – Houston Academy follow up
• November 16, 2016 – Healy
• December 13, 2016 – Healy follow up (update…conflict)
• January 11, 2017 – Carver
• February 8, 2017 – Carver follow up
• March 8, 2017 – Fresh Start (Edmonson Center)
• April 19, 2017 - Fresh Start (Edmonson Center) follow up
• May 10, 2017 – EOCHS C wing
• June 14, 2017 – EOCHS C wing follow up.

Please continue to direct issues to me as soon as possible. Send your concerns to the EOEA office or e- mail at khintonii@me.com. Again thank you for your support.



September, 2016

Welcome back for another exciting year!!! Building issues from last year have been brought to the attention of the maintenance department as well as the Principals and the Superintendent. Dario Lambkin explained that there was a summer work list this year. I have the list for you to view at your convenience. The maintenance department will address the problems. At this time, the department is averaging a 75% summer completion rate which is up from last year’s 60 %. They are still aiming for a 100% completion rate. I am waiting for Mr. Lambkin to give an update.

The school visits are as follows:

• September 14, 2016- Houston Academy
• October 12, 2016 – Houston Academy follow up
• November 16, 2016 – Healy
• December 15, 2016 – Healy follow up
• January 11, 2017 – Carver
• February 8, 2017 – Carver follow up
• March 8, 2017 – Fresh Start (Edmonson Center)
• April 19, 2017 - Fresh Start (Edmonson Center) follow up
• May 10, 2017 – EOCHS C wing
• June 14, 2017 – EOCHS C wing follow up

Please continue to direct issues to me as soon as possible. You can also send your concerns to the EOEA office. I hope all of you have a safe, healthy, and prosperous school year!



June, 2016

The HSSC met on June 9, 2016. Prior to the meeting, the team did a follow up walkthrough of Jackson Academy Elementary School. Work has been either completed or in progress. Water lead results are in and a copy is at the EOEA office for review. All levels were below the Action Level! Summer repair lists by the maintenance department are also at the EOEA for review. The HSSC met and discussed future school visits and tentative dates for the 2016- 2017 school year.  The schools are as follows:

• September 14, 2016- Bowser
• October 12, 2016 – Bowser follow up
• November 16, 2016 – Healy
• December 14, 2016 – Healy follow up
• January 11, 2017 – Carver
• February 8, 2017 – Carver follow up
• March 8, 2017 – Fresh Start (Edmonson Center)
• April 12, 2017 - Fresh Start (Edmonson Center) follow up
• May 10, 2017 – EOCHS C wing
• June 14, 2017 – EOCHS C wing follow up
•  

I hope all of you have a safe, fun, restful summer.  I really enjoyed my first year as HSSC chair and can’t wait to work with you next year!!!



May, 2016

The HSSC met on April 21, 2016. Prior to the meeting, the team did a follow up walkthrough of Banneker Elementary School. Work at Banneker has been either completed or is in progress.

Some issues and updates talked about at the meeting were as follows:

• Some Technology Labs are extremely hot (please report schools that have this problem)
• Outside cleaning of schools- small schools will be handled by custodians and the larger schools are handled by the  maintenance dept.
• Campus – some doors can be opened with a student ID card or any type of flat card
• Jackson Academy- tiles have been fixed
• Complex- elevator is working and small issues are being fixed. The pool’s fire alarm is working (horns and strobes).
• The water quality was checked in all 22 schools and the results were negative. A copy of the test will be sent to the HSSC for our records. In the future a test will be conducted annually.

The next meeting of the HSSC will be on May 12, 2016 at the EOEA at 9 AM. A walkthrough of Jackson Academy will follow the meeting.

*** Members please direct building concerns to your Rep and they will channel it to me. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.



April, 2016

The HSSC met on March 10, 2016. Prior to the meeting the meeting the team did a walkthrough of Banneker Elementary School. Some of the issues at the school were minor and easily fixable. Some issues talked about at the meeting were as follows:

• The fire alarms in the pool area at the complex still don’t work.  The big gym alarms don’t work either.  If you are in these areas, you can hear the alarms from the hallways and the security guard comes in to alert everyone to the alarm.  It seems like the old part of the building is not working.  We will ask Mr. Lambkin to address this situation again.
• Costley-All new locks have been installed in classrooms.  One key is used in all these locks.  There have been a few issues (some people can’t get in or have been given the wrong key) and we are waiting for the company to come back and address these issues.  The lock is on the inside of the door so the door does not need to be opened to lock it. This is much more secure if there were an emergency.
• EOCHS-The elevator was repaired and a new floor was installed.  The alarm system is also under construction.  It has been worked on all week.  Lastly, the floor of the dance studio is in the process of being renovated.
• School Dudes-The committee would like to look at the percentage of jobs that have been completed.  It seems as though many jobs are being completed.
• PARCC Infrastructure-There were several issues around the district when schools completed the practice tests this week.  Jackson and Garvin both had server issues.  Some schools had issues with pop-ups.  The committee will speak to their coaches to determine which pop-ups were getting through.  This can be addressed by Central Office if there is still a problem.  This happen when the test is taken through a browser.        

The next meeting of the HSSC will be on April 21, 2016 at the EOBOE at 1 PM.

*** Members please direct building concerns to your Rep and they will channel it to me. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.



March, 2016

The HSSC met on February 11, 2016. After the meeting the team did a follow up walkthrough of Truth Middle School. Some of the issues were either being worked on that day or a work order had been placed.  Frank Santos attended the meeting and brought information to the committee.

Some items that were brought to the attention of the HSSC are as follows:

• Mr. Santos addressed the issues regarding custodians.  He explained that, although the flat roofs are checked weekly, there are still leaks.  He believes that the “pointing” is causing the leaks at Truth.  The committee wondered if the drains were clogged on the roof. 
• Substitute Custodians-When a night custodian is absent, one of the seven part-time employees is sent to the building, if someone is available.  If a custodian is out for an extended time, a substitute is sent on the fourth day.  If a building has only one custodian, a substitute is automatically sent.  Coverage is always sent for the head custodian.
• Garbage Can Liners-Liners should be replaced when they are wet.  If regular garbage/dry trash (paper) is in the can, the liner does not need to be replaced.  If there is a problem, a person should talk to the head custodian.
• Pool at Complex- A video was shared proving that the fire alarms are not working in the pool area.
• Louverture-The basement room that has had so many problems has had the carpet ripped up.  The committee is waiting to hear from the teacher as to whether the problem has been resolved.  

The next meeting of the HSSC will be on March 10, at 9:00 AM at the EOEA Office, followed by a walk-through of Banneker Academy.

*** Members please direct building concerns to your Rep and they will channel it to me. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.



February, 2016

The HSSC met on January 14, 2016, 2015. After the meeting we did a walkthrough of Truth Middle School.  The follow up visit will be February 11, 2016. Some issues and new business that have been brought to the attention of the HSSC are as follows:

1.STEM – several issues have been reported to Mr. Lambkin and he immediately called and has stated that they will be fixed.

2.Mr. Lambkin suggested that schools call the maintenance department for serious issues so they can be resolved faster. ***

3.Garbage can liners should be replaced daily! There are plenty of liners in stock so they can be replaced on a daily basis.

4.Costley- issues have been reported and they are being worked on.

5.Custodians are checking roofs every month to look for clogged drains, gutters, etc.

6.The maintenance department is trying to shrink the carbon footprint left by the district.  One thing being done is that lights in the district are slowly being changed over to LED lights.  This will take away from the load put on the existing electrical circuit in that building.  Any ballast problems will be corrected by replacing the lights with an LED system.  The district is also putting in new gas boilers in many buildings.

7.Painting is permitted during the day.  The district uses 0% VOC (volatile organic compound) paint.  The principal should notify staff before the day of the painting and make any adjustments to room assignments as needed. 

*** Members please direct building concerns to your Rep and they will channel it to me. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.



January, 2016

The HSSC met on December 10, 2015. The follow up visit to Tyson Elementary was positive. The Head custodian either had problems addressed/ fixed or has put in a work order to get it completed. Some issues that were brought to the attention of the HSSC are as follows:

• Snow Removal Procedure-Our procedure will be the same as last year.  We share services with the city. The contractor responds when 2" of snow falls.  Maintenance workers from the district will clean up snow at the abandoned buildings.  School custodians and maintenance workers clean all sidewalks and walkways.  The contractor clears the parking lots.  In order for school to be in session, the city must clear the streets and sidewalks.  Buses won't come unless this is done so it is a big factor in deciding whether schools will be closed or not.

• School Safety Drills -Dr. Harvest reported that some staff members are not taking these drills seriously.  They refuse to leave the building because they have no students at the time. As a reminder, Dr. Harvest stated that a fire drill and a safety drill must be held each month. Principals will be asked to share this information at staff meetings. Sometime during the year, the police will come in and monitor an emergency drill. The guidelines must be followed by everyone.

Members, please direct building concerns to your Reps and they will channel them to me. Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.



December, 2015

The HSSC met on November 18 and completed an initial walk through of Tyson Elementary School. The results of the inspection were as follows. Several of the rooms were in need of replacement of light bulbs, and the period change bell was too loud. These issues have been brought to the attention of maintenance and should be fixed or a work order is in place by the follow up visit.

Follow up answers to some issues/concerns from last month are as follows:

1.Security Guard Duties-The administrator decides the duties of the security guard.  If a school has a security guard who never leaves the desk at the front door, there is probably more than one guard in that building.  If there is only one guard, they may be on a schedule to move around the building and check doors and other areas around the building.

2. Ceiling Tiles-A stained ceiling tile may be painted over with white paint after the custodian does an inspection and determines that there is no mold.  This is much more cost effective for the district



3. Science Labs- There are no burners and no water, in addition to some other issues.  The response was that some classrooms are being used for Science but they are not labs.  Over the summer, maintenance went in and made revisions such as working gas, exhaust fans, cleaned traps, eyewash stations and showers. Teachers of Science may also need training on how to do work the labs. 

New issues since last meeting

• Diaper Changing-It is in the job description of the TAs and paras that they are to change diapers.  The teachers are NOT required to change diapers. 
• Painting- Painting is permitted during the day.  The district uses 0% VOC (volatile organic compound) paint.  The principal should notify staff before the day of the painting and make any adjustments to room assignments as needed. 
• Access Cards-EOCHS is now using a swipe card system.  Staff must swipe in and out daily.  The machines and cameras are set up at the doors at the loading dock and the parking lot.  The card is programmed to work during set hours, dependent on the job of the staff member.  If this card is lost, the staff member should immediately report it so it can be shut down.  Eventually, this system will be in every building and will be tied to the employee’s sign in and out, also their paycheck. 
• Hart Complex-In both gyms and in the pool area, the fire alarm has no strobes and no horn.  When there is a fire alarm, the security guard must come in to tell them.  This has been a problem since the blackout earlier this year.  Mr. Lambkin will have this addressed immediately.    
• Junk E-Mail-There is a lot of junk email coming into our email boxes. Central Office can “push updates” so it is no longer necessary for teachers to have to run updates.

If you have any building concerns, ask your members to inform you and then tell the committee.





November, 2015

The HSSC will meet on November 18, 2015 at 9 A.M. in the EOEA office. After the meeting, we will visit Tyson Elementary School.

A summary of issues brought to the attention of the HSSC are as follows:

1. Classroom phones - Parents are able to call rooms directly, by-passing the office and interrupting instruction.
2. What are security guards’ duties? Some guards sit at front desk and watch the monitors.
3. Science labs at Campus are not ready for use. Teachers want to get started and use the area since it is in the curriculum, but work needs to be done.
4. The capacity at the campus in the cafeteria is still in question. Administration stated blueprints on file should have it. We will look more into that during next meeting.
5. Computer Upgrade - Every school is wired and ready to go for PARCC. The proof of that being that Renaissance has been going smoothly so far.

Members please direct building concerns to your Rep and they will channel them to me. Thank you for your anticipated cooperation.



October, 2015

The HSSC met on September 23^rd and walked through Wahlstrom Elementary School. The results of the inspection are summarized here. Several of the rooms were in need of replacement of light bulbs and stained/missing ceiling tiles. These issues were brought to the attention of the maintenance department and during the follow- up on October 8^th, most of the work was completed or a work order had been put in...  Some summer work was completed as well. Mr. Lambkin will send an update as soon as he can. Dr. Morgan is on Administrative leave. No replacement has been named.

Reps, please inform your members to be mindful of what they dump in the toilets. We are having a serious issue with plumbing in some schools. Campus received a high retaining wall. Two rooftop HVAC units were installed at Costley. 

The good news is that small service issues can be taken care of by one person and do not require a team of service members. For example, if a water fountain is not working in several schools, the one maintenance person will fix them within the week. This helps ensure that timely responses to small issues occur in a timely fashion.

If you have any building concerns, ask your members to inform you and then tell the committee.



September, 2015

Welcome back for another exciting year!!! The HSSC met on June 11th and walked through Costley Middle School. The results of the inspection were mixed. While some areas were addressed, several other rooms were in need of replacement of light bulbs, some had inconsistent temperatures (too hot, too cold), there were stained/missing ceiling tiles, rooms in need of painting, faucets not working, urinals that would not flush, musty/mildew smells in some rooms and doors out of alignment. These issues have been brought to the attention of the maintenance department as well as the Principal and the Superintendent. 

Dr. Morgan explained that there will be no summer work lists this year.  The maintenance department will address problems.  At this time, the department is averaging a 60% completion rate, since September.  They are aiming for a 100% completion rate.

The meetings in November, December, and April will be held on the 3^rd Thursday of the month.  There was some discussion about moving some of these meetings to Wednesdays because they may conflict with principals’ meetings.

CLARENCE OSBORNE, CHAIRPERSON

June, 2015

Last month the HSSC conducted a walk-through of Costley School. While the committee realized that the building is old and was scheduled for demolition several years ago until the School Construction Company (SCC) ran out of money, we were disappointed in the amount of work that was not completed. The committee found missing/stained/cracked ceiling tiles, lights in need of replacing, chipped floor tiles, cracked light lenses, etc. Many of the items listed are quick fixes.  Issues related to plumbing, painting, and carpentry and electrical are inputted into a software program called School Dudes. The Head Custodian in each building has been trained to input areas of concern into the system and the Maintenance Department expedites craftspeople to address the concerns. The HSSC will do a follow-up walk-through of Costley School on Thursday, June 11, 2015.

Have a safe and healthy summer.



May, 2015

Last month’s results of the follow-up walk-through of Cochran Academy were not good. Many of the items were not addressed. Several of the areas of need could have, in our opinion, been addressed without much effort. Items such as light bulb replacement, hanging light lenses, broken floor tiles, loose/hanging wires, etc.

The HSSC will continue to urge the Board and the Maintenance/Custodial Departments to address issues that have a direct effect upon EOEA members and the students that they service.

The HSSC will visit John L. Costley School on Thursday, May 14, 2015.

 The purpose shall be to advise the Superintendent on matters concerning the maintenance of proper standards of
health, safety, and security. The committee shall consist of four individuals appointed by the Association President and four individuals appointed by the Superintendent. The committee shall convene no fewer than five times during the year and will meet during working hours. “These people have the authority to create change,” said Greadington. “Association and district representatives partner-up and walk room by room through designated buildings with a checklist, identifying any health, safety or security issues.” It is then incumbent upon the district to address the issues discovered, she noted. At a subsequent meeting, timelines are established to address the issues discovered. Another walkthrough is scheduled to ensure that remedial work has been completed.