Update: Clarity On Lester Vaughan School Progress Report
The Chairman of the Board of management (BOM) of the Lester Vaughan School has submitted the most recent report detailing extensive remedial and maintenance work done on the Cane Garden, St. Thomas school plant.
In the report, Chairman Dr. Donley Carrington outlined the complaints made by staff, the recommendations made, and the subsequent actions taken to address the issue.
The school engaged the Environmental Comfort & Safety Solutions Limited (ECSS), with whom the school has had a work relationship dating back to 2018. In March 23, 2023, the company conducted an environmental assessment and their report contained the following recommendations:
- More professional detailed cleaning of the furniture using a biocide is needed within the music rooms.
- Research should be carried out to determine the recommended methods to clean the variety of instruments.
- The Mini split unit’s blower wheels and fins should be cleaned quarterly
- The Mini split units set point temperatures should be set at 22℃
- The extractor fan blades should be cleaned weekly.
- Extractor Fan in B1 room for the two back rooms need to be connected to a power source to allow for a change of air in the space.
- A more detailed cleaning of the furniture and the A/C blowers, louvres and fins is needed within the Computer Labs.
- There needs to be a ventilation system installed in all Computer Labs to change the air within the Computer Labs and reduce the buildup of CO2 in these workspaces.
- The leaks and poorly sealed expansion joint in this room need to be sealed to prevent water ingress.
- All outdoor air intake fans in the Music Rooms and Computer Labs should be fitted with carbon filters to trap the carbonaceous and other particles from entering these rooms. The fans should have louvres that can be shut when they are not in use. The ventilations systems will provide at least six air changes per hour to constantly cool, dehumidify and refresh the air in the classrooms.
- When occupants in the air-conditioned rooms open windows while the A/C units are on, they are allowing high volumes of warmer, unconditioned, high humidity air to blow onto the cooler indoor furniture and other surfaces, causing mould spores to grow on these surfaces. This action should not be encouraged.
NB. With the exception of extractor fans for the Computer rooms, all of the other recommendations were implemented.
In response to the concerns expressed by staff through their BUT shop steward, these are the recommendations and the actions taken to address said issue:
| Concern | Recommendation | Action taken |
| Music room B3; Presence of fungi | Industrial cleaning required Louvres need to be sealed | Mould remediation completed |
| Computer Labs: Suspected build-up of CO2 | Regular cleaning and servicing of AC required Extractor fans recommended | AC unit cleaned as per maintenance programme Extractor fans have been ordered; awaiting receipt |
| Physical Education Staff point: Worm-eaten furniture Plumbing issues Dust | Remove old cupboards Construct and install new cupboards Address existing plumbing problems | Wooden cupboards removed, and new metal cupboards installed Plumbing problems fixed Extractor fan instilled in bathroom |
| Staff/Teacher chairs: Furniture deemed inadequate | Acquire the recommended amount of furniture | Teacher chairs were ordered and an adequate supply is in place |
| Wells Reports received about foul odours coming from some wells | Clear/Clean/Flush wells periodically Continue greasing/sealing of wells Establish clear routine/timeline for cleaning any wells and grease traps | Wells were sealed with concrete and the manholes are sealed with grease. N.B. After some teachers complained of the smell associated with the grease an attempt was made to address the issue with silicone, however based on the smoke test, the silicone was determined to be inappropriate, therefore we will be reverting to the use of grease exclusively. |
| Science Department: Ventilation | Acquire four (4) standing/wall fans for teachers | Fans were acquired and, installed on the walls. |
| Chemistry Storeroom: Accumulation of old/unused chemicals | Old unused chemicals need to be safely removed from the Chemistry Storeroom | Ministry has to action the removal of these chemicals. RE Enviro health has indicated they cannot remove any chemicals that are missing labels or covers. |
| AC Unit Servicing: AC unit continues to drip water. | AC unit needs to be repaired or replaced | AC unit has been serviced at the start of every term as part of the maintenance programme |
| Worm eaten furniture: Desks and Cupboards | Worm eaten furniture needs to be replaced urgently | Being removed as part of the powder post beetle eradication programme |
| Cow itch: Some cow itch reappears in different locations after removal | Continue removing any cow itch found on the premises | Cow itch removed and as part of the grounds maintenance programme, grounds men are trained in the identification of the plant to remove before development of the pods |
| Presence of moss/algae/fungi affects some members of staff | Continue power washing areas identified | Regular power washing programme in place during the vacation periods |
| Staffroom / Admin Block Industrial Cleaning | Effect a full cleaning of areas most used by staff | Staff room deep cleaned and worm-eaten cupboards and tables replaced with metal with Perspex |
| Student desks: Desks are extremely old and can be opened for depositing garbage | Continue replacement of existing desks | Student desks were replaced with metals and PVC tops and desk pockets eliminated |
| Overgrown bushy areas | Continue to tackle areas with significant brush Engage assistance for any severely overgrown areas | Process continued as part of the regular grounds maintenance programme. |
| Transfers for staff | Two (2) teachers requested transfers. A third teacher requested a transfer effective next term to Graydon Sealy to replace a music teacher who will be retiring at the end of this term | One has been transferred to Harrison College. The other has since resigned has resigned. The Ministry of Education will have to action the transfer of this teacher. |
The Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, and the BUT continue to correspond with the principal and the Board of Management as all parties work towards finding a resolution to the concerns expressed by some members of the teaching staff.
The desired outcome for all involved is a healthy and safe environment that is conducive to teaching, learning and growing for all at the Lester Vaughan School.
Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training