Tim Evans, writing for the Indianapolis Star, reports that Rep. John Barnes will introduce legislation proposing that schools test their air quality.
The lawmaker behind the proposal, state Rep. John Barnes, D-Indianapolis, said he was prompted to act after a recent Indianapolis Star report revealed potential air pollution problems near schools in Indiana and other states.
. . .
“My proposal is really very simple. It just requires officials to check water and indoor and outdoor air quality at school sites,” said Barnes, a teacher at Warren Central High School who was elected to the legislature in November.
“Everybody I’ve talked to so far sees this as a no-brainer. It’s something we do need to be concerned about.”
Joel Hand of the Indiana Department of Education says he is not sure what the bill will accomplish since existing rules could be applied to schools. Which, of course, raises the question of why they are not being applied if they can be applied. But, I see his point. You find bad quality air in a school, there isn’t any money for remediating the property to fix the air; what do you do? Now you’ve made the lawsuit and judgment against the school all the more likely.
Maybe authorize a bond issue for remediation to be paid for through a property tax levy? Hell no. The anti-tax crowd would be furious. Home schooling for everyone!
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