Gov Douglas Presents Environmental Health Award To BFA

Gov. presents environmental health award to BFA-Fairfax

Governor Jim Douglas recently recognized 15 of Vermont's schools for their exceptional work to protect students, faculty and staff from indoor air pollution and environmental awards.

Governor Douglas said each school worked on issues specific to their needs to lessen the exposure of their students to harmful pollutants. "Our health officials enjoy working, closely with schools throughout Vermont to help them reduce indoor air pollutants and asthma triggers like mold; dust, pesticides and cleaning products. Our environmental health programs also help schools address other problems like lead, asbestos, carbon monoxide and mercury."

Joining the Governor at the ceremony were Commissioner of Education Richard Gate, Commissioner of Buildings and General Services Tasha Wallis, and Eugene Benoit of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Governor Douglas praised Bellows Free Academy-Fairfax, along with nine other Vermont schools, for repeating their success for a second consecutive year. These schools have sustained their previous activities and are encouraging other schools to learn about environmental hazards.

BFA-Fairfax has one of the largest indoor air quality teams in Vermont. Their team coordinator, Lyall Smith, not only assisted Georgia and Fletcher Elementary schools in the supervisory union but he also went to Huntington to meet with the Brewster Pierce Memorial school principal and maintenance personnel to discuss environmental health hazards in schools. This school has not only improved their school facility and made it safer for their students, faculty and staff, but they have also looked at ways they could reduce outdoor pollution through the reduction of energy consumption.

The BFA-Fairfax Team was also recognized for their efforts to sustain environmental health efforts within their school and through their partnerships with other schools.

Team members include Sally Billado, Doug Stewart, Tom Walsh, Sheila McKay, Sue Mitchel, Jill Wells, Megan Bushey, Rick Potash, Tom Pfeiffer, and Nelson Murray.

Governor Douglas said this team has shown exemplary leadership in the area of environmental health.

"They have inspired and supported other schools to address school environmental health concerns," Douglas said.