News Summary
Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School in Ahwatukee has announced its closure through fall break due to hazardous air quality and ongoing roof repairs. Air quality testing revealed levels 28 times higher than acceptable, prompting the relocation of students to alternative campuses. School officials prioritize the safety of the community, planning regular updates on the situation. Parents have raised concerns about communication and their children’s safety amid the ongoing issues.
Ahwatukee
Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School in Ahwatukee will remain closed through at least fall break due to ongoing roof work and hazardous air quality conditions. School officials announced this decision this week as concerns regarding the safety of the campus continue to arise.
The prolonged closure follows air quality testing which has revealed hazardous conditions at levels 28 times higher than the acceptable threshold established by the U.S. Green Building Council. This testing initially prompted the pause in roof work, which is necessary to address the safety of those within the school.
Students affected by this closure have been temporarily relocated to the Cerritos/Altadeña campus or Kyrene de la Esperanza. School officials indicated that it is crucial for the Sierra community to be prepared to remain at alternative campuses through winter break unless the roof repairs are finished ahead of schedule. Regular follow-up air quality testing will be conducted once the roof work resumes.
Safety First
Officials have communicated that their primary focus is on ensuring the safety of the campus community and minimizing any disruptions in education. At a recent governing board meeting for the Kyrene District, air quality issues were a key topic of discussion. During this meeting, parents voiced their concerns and frustrations over the district’s communication regarding the air quality situation.
Timeline of Events
The first complaint regarding a bad smell at the school was reported on July 21. However, district officials claimed they were not aware of the issue until a parent formally flagged it days later. Parents countersued the district’s timeline, expressing concerns about their children’s exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Preliminary air quality tests have established that there are elevated levels of particulate matter, with further results pending that will identify specific chemicals present in the air. The district initiated the closure on August 4, initially planning on a week of online learning before relocating students to alternative schools beginning August 11.
Future Steps
School officials have advised families to prepare for the transition to alternative campuses while the roof construction is expedited. The construction work involves asphalt installation and off-gassing, which is expected to be completed by October. The district has committed to providing regular updates regarding the roof replacement efforts and their impact on school operations via their website.
This ongoing situation at Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School has raised significant concern among parents, highlighting the necessity for timely communication and effective management of school safety issues. The district aims to keep the community informed as further developments unfold.
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Additional Resources
- ABC15
- Wikipedia: Air Quality
- AZ Family
- Google Search: Kyrene de la Sierra Closure
- Fox 10 Phoenix
- Google Scholar: Air Quality in Schools
- AZ Central
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Construction
- Ahwatukee News
- Google News: Kyrene de la Sierra
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MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
