2 EDCAL August 29,2016
PCBs from fluorescent fixtures an escalating issue of concern
There is an environmental issue looming on the horizon that schools and districts will need to be aware of . The issue is the remediation of polychlorinated biphenyls , aka PCBs .
The federal Environmental Protection Agency is currently developing rules for addressing PCBs in fluorescent light ballasts , electrical equipment , natural gas pipelines and contaminated porous surfaces . Of these , the fluorescent light ballasts are likely of greatest concern for schools . The new proposed rules from the EPA would phase out PCB fluorescent light ballasts in daycares and secondary schools .
The concern is that fluorescent light ballasts can emit PCBs into the air , which can place students and adults at risk of developing health problems . Potential acute problems can include irritation of the eyes , face and skin .
Overall , the EPA estimates that 17 percent of total fluorescent light ballasts contain PCBs , and of those the fixture-leak rate could be as high as 69 percent . Nationally , the EPA estimates there are in excess of
611,000 elementary and secondary schools that could be impacted by leaking PCB fluorescent light ballasts .
The EPA is proposing that all such PCB fluorescent light ballasts be phased out by 2020 or 2022 .
The problem is that estimates for the costs to impacted schools grossly underestimates the actual price tag . Inspection costs for each fixture is estimated at approximately $ 6 per fixture , with retrofit costs at about $ 80 and replacement at around $ 175 per fixture . However , those costs could actually be much higher , perhaps into the thousands of dollars .
There ’ s no doubt this is something that has to be dealt with at the policy level . Some funding to address PCBs is available through Prop . 39 , but it remains to be seen just how much the final cost of remediation could be .
ACSA is currently working to address this issue and is preparing a letter of response to the proposed EPA regulations . As soon as that letter is finalized it will be shared with ACSA members .
Online schedule shows Summit loaded with great opportunities
The Leadership Summit is ACSA ’ s premier professional development event . This annual gathering of educators is a celebration of the profession , from classified employees to superintendents . For three days , this conference provides opportunities for invaluable networking and offers professional development on current critical leadership and educational issues .
Indeed , the Leadership Summit is packed from start to finish with sessions , workshops , keynote speakers and special events , all designed to enhance your leadership skills . In addition , you can access information from numerous vendors with the latest in educational offerings , and the ACSA Bookstore , with some of the top publications available on the subject of school leadership , as well as fun and functional ACSA-branded products .
One glance at the interactive , online schedule posted at acsa . org shows there ’ s something for every school leader at the Summit . There are sessions aimed at coadministrators , adult educators , and for anyone wishing to expand their knowledge in the areas of curriculum , labor relations , ELL instruction , technology , CTE , classified management and much more . The online schedule can be accessed directly at https :// 2016leadershipsummit . sched . org .
ACSA Leadership Summit Planning Committee Chair Buck Roggeman , principal of Forest Grove Elementary in Pacific Grove USD , said the reasons to attend are
See SUMMIT , page 6
Region 3 leadership unites
There was a great turnout at ACSA Region 3 ’ s leadership meeting Aug . 22 , where attendees reinforced their commitment to their profession through a focus on legislation and building stronger support networks through membership this year . Leadership Matters !
VP nominating deadline Sept . 9
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Time is running out for filing nomination papers for the 2017-18 state ACSA offices of vice president and vice president for legislative action .
The office of vice president is the first step in a two-year route to the ACSA presidency . Service on the ACSA Board of Directors or Leadership Assembly as region president or state chairperson is preferable .
VP for legislative action provides leadership on state and federal law making . The post is held for two years , and incumbents may run for a second term .
Criteria include active participation in ACSA with experience in a position of leadership at the region level . Experience with political coalition-building and grassroots political action is preferable .
Both offices must commit to attend all board meetings and to serve on the Executive Committee . The vice president shall also be prepared to perform the board president ’ s duties when called upon and chair the board Finance Committee .
The VPLA will serve as chair of the ACSA Political Action Committee and preside over meetings of the PAC Board of Directors , as well as chair the Legislative Action Committee and serve as liaison between the committee and the board .
Find nomination forms at www . acsa . org / About-Us . For more information , contact Suzanne Caffrey in the ACSA Executive Department at scaffrey @ acsa . org .
Shy and seemingly frail , Maria Mendez has vast determination and has been called “ a little dynamo .” Principal Alan Crawford noted that , as a student , Maria served to remind him to “ always remain focused on students no matter what the noise is that ’ s going on around that .”
Information & Registration : www . acsa . org / equity
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a change in scenery . Central Coast High is an alternative school that provides a flexible educational setting to students with unique needs and challenges .
“ At first , I was like , ‘ How am I going to do this ?’” Maria said . “’ How am I going to raise my child ?’ But then , I just started going back to school .”
She graduated from Central Coast High in June and will attend college this fall . In fact , Maria is the first person in her family to achieve the title of high school graduate .
“ I come from a family where my parents didn ’ t graduate ,” she said . “ They didn ’ t finish high school . So I ’ m going to be the first one to graduate , which I ’ m proud of . And
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I ’ m going to continue going to college .”
It is quite clear where Maria finds her motivation . She is a doting mom to her 3-year-old , and Maria ’ s mission is to give Ashley the things she never had .
“ Sometimes , yeah , it ’ s hard ,” Maria said . “ Sometimes you feel like giving up and then I ’ m , like , ‘ No I can ’ t because of her .’ I just want her to have a better life , so she won ’ t say , ‘ My mom dropped out of high school – she didn ’ t make it .’ And it ’ s just me . I ’ m a single mom raising her by myself . It ’ s kind of hard . But I have made it .”
ACSA ’ s Every Student Succeeding Awards program turns 20 this year . In recognition , we continue our 21-part video series showcasing the courageous recipients . Watch their stories every Monday , leading up to the Leadership Summit awards presentation Nov . 10 in San Diego .