Vote expected tonight as BOE considers Radon levels at schools

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Board of Education is scheduled to vote March 21 on whether to approve $571,846.50 to address elevated radon levels at 9 Fayette Co. schools.

The schools affected are:

• Bryan Station High School
• Booker T. Washington Intermediate Academy
• Harrison Elementary
• Leestown Middle School
• Lexington Traditional Magnet School
• Mary Todd Elementary
• Russell Cave Elementary
• SCAPA
• Sandersville Elementary

According to letters sent home to parents earlier this month, tests revealed higher-than-normal levels of radon in the schools.  Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer, according to the federal EPA.  The school system, however, says levels weren’t high enough to pose a health risk.

As part of the application process for Green Ribbon Status, schools are required to test for radon. When one of the schools came back with higher than recommended levels, the district decided to put a protocol in place to test all the schools in the county.

The first round of testing was completed last summer, which showed 22 schools had higher than preferable levels. The first solution was to adjust the HVAC systems in the buildings to change the balance of re-circulated air versus fresh air. After the adjustments were made, all 22 schools were retested, with the above named nine schools still showing elevated levels of radon.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 at the Fayette County Public Schools office on E. Main Street.