Vancouver parents question where school air quality is on list of priorities

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — The plan for back to school in B.C. next fall includes addressing air circulation and air quality, but one group of Vancouver parents say that doesn’t seem to be a priority at their children’s school.

On Thursday, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside outlined the plan for a return to “near normal” in September that will include doing away with COVID-19-related restrictions like learning cohorts, and virtual learning. Addressing concerns with how air quality and circulation factor into the spread of the virus were acknowledged by Whiteside.

“We have seen school districts invest significant amounts of money in upgrading ventilation systems throughout the year. Those investments will continue,” she said.

RELATED: BC Liberals demand update on COVID-19-related ventilation upgrades in schools

Air quality had been a concern for a group of parents in Vancouver before the pandemic and despite coming upgrades at their neighbourhood school, it will continue to be an issue after the major renovation.

David Livingstone Elementary is getting a $17.3 million seismic upgrade starting this September. Over a two-year period, the 108-year-old school’s foundation will be replaced and the building will be reinforced to withstand an earthquake. The students will be bussed to nearby South Hill elementary during the renovation period.

Tonight: as education minister emphasizes money is being spent to improve ventilation in schools, parents at David Livingstone elementary in Vancouver are wondering why a very expensive upcoming two-year seismic upgrade won't include those very ventilation upgrades @NEWS1130

— Renee Bernard (@Renee1130) June 18, 2021

But the province’s seismic upgrade program only funds structural changes and nothing beyond that.

That has parents questioning if that’s money wisely spent.

“The school walls will be opened up and the HVAC system will be exposed. But it won’t be improved at all. It definitely feels like a big miss in terms of taxpayers’ dollars being spent and a big miss for the safety of our kids,” says Jo-Anne Stayner, co-chair of the school’s Parent Advisory Council.

“You really want the money spent responsibly. I think it’s in everybody’s best interest that we are not wasting $17 million and then having to spend twice as much the next time, because it wasn’t done right the first time.”

She says parents raised the issue of air quality and circulation even before the pandemic, when the province was considering three options, two of which would have partially or completely replaced the school, at a higher cost.

“This is a school from 1913. We had windows that were painted shut. We have classrooms that get so hot when it’s warm or so cold. The air quality and flow were definitely an issue before the pandemic,” she notes.

RELATED: Abbotsford school windows bolted shut, union raising COVID-19 safety concerns

The school is in need of other upgrades to keep students safe from the virus, Stayner says.

“Given that we are living in a pandemic, they are not taking this opportunity to revise their plan to consider what is happening during the pandemic, not only upgrading the HVAC systems, but putting handwashing stations in classrooms and upgrading drinking fountains.”

Stayner did hear something Thursday that she considers promising. Whiteside says a ventilation committee has been formed to help direct where improvements can be made.

“It was promising to hear that ventilation and air quality are important, but we still need an explanation as to why we would not make investments while a school is getting upgrades,” says Stayner.