Association Health and Safety Concerns Validated by Department of Environmental Conservation Report

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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION REPORT

Over the course of the last 15 months, the Association has on at least three occasions, notified the District of serious issues at the Connetquot High School. Our concern was due to continuing toxic waste back ups into the classrooms overflowing from the chemical waste tank. Our concerns center around the improper handling, analysis and disposal of such waste.

The District has maintained on their website and through direct communication with the Association that they have addressed our concerns on many occasions. Furthermore, they denied that back ups into classrooms took place (see photographs below). They assured the Association and the community that the classrooms were free of any contamination.

After reaching a high level of frustration, due to the continuing toxic back ups into classrooms while both students and teachers were present, the Association requested inspection by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) - a New York State agency.

The Association has recently received the DEC's summary report dated April, 11th (click here to view report). This report gives validity to out our concerns and orders the District to rectify approximately 19 separate violations at the High School, most of which were previously reported to the District by the Association.

It is unfortunate that the District continues to deal with our concerns in an adversarial manner. Our hope is that with the validation of our concerns by the DEC, the District will work to establish a collegial partnership with its employees to protect the health and safety of students and staff. As long as the District chooses to cover up and dispute our concerns, the hazardous conditions persist without remedy. This shortsighted attitude exposes children and teachers to unnecessary risk.

The Association is committed to take all necessary steps to protect the health and safety of the students and staff. We intend to continue our oversight and insistence that remedies to these hazardous conditions be made immediately.