WWPS gets green light from consultants
By Terry Murry on Thursday, January 21st, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – An in-depth review of procedures for opening public schools in Walla Walla states the district is ready to let students return to in-person learning. The school district stated that the audit included a review of facility and personnel practices against the latest guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and the Washington Department of Health.
The experts from NV5/DADE MOELLER also examined each school to ensure that campuses, HVAC modifications, and COVID-19 protocols are in line with the latest standards. It reviewed all the areas, the employee work arrangements, and administrative controls to minimize exposure to pathogens for students and staff.
The two-phase study also included looking at staff training, cleaning, masking and other personal protective equipment standards, and other practices were reviewed. The district states that the findings indicated that all of the district’s protocols met and in many cases exceeded safety guidelines.
Stephen Bump, a certified industrial hygienist and health professional from NV5 spent more than seven hours performing on-site inspections at each of the district’s elementary and preschool sites.
“Our review indicates the Walla Walla School District has implemented the health agency guidance and has adequate controls and protocols in place to allow in-person learning in a safe and healthy environment,” Bump wrote in his report. “We were impressed by the ownership of the principals and their staff. There were a number of innovative and creative approaches to the implementation of the protocols.”
Superintendent Wade Smith said the third-party audit ensures the district has fully reviewed and implemented of all safety protocols and procedures recommended from state health officials and industry experts.
“This serves as an additional layer of protection for all staff, students, and parents and is part of our continued commitment to keep students and staff safe,” Smith said. “Safety has been and will continue to be our top priority, and the results from our third-party safety audit spoke to all of our staff members’ hard work.”
The district is also contracting with NV5/DADE MOELLER in the coming weeks to prepare for transitioning middle and then high school students back for the AM/PM Hybrid schedule, with inspections planned at all the remaining campuses.
Photo: Superintendent Wade Smith
