Buildings & Grounds

At Eastern Carver County Schools, keeping our students and staff safe is a top priority. One way we do that is by regularly testing our schools’ water for lead, to make sure it’s safe to drink and use for cooking.

We follow state and federal guidelines, including Minnesota Statute 121A.335, which requires schools serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade to test drinking water sources every five years. Our testing program follows the recommendations of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Lead can sometimes enter drinking water through old pipes or plumbing fixtures. While drinking water isn’t usually the main source of lead exposure, it's still important to keep levels as low as possible, especially for young children.

If we find that a water source has lead levels above the state’s action level (more than 5 parts per billion), we immediately take that fixture out of use. It stays out of service until the issue is fixed, and follow-up testing confirms the water is safe again.

You can find more information below:

Lead-in-Water Management Plan

Lead-in-Water Results

If you have any questions about the testing process, test results, or how we ensure safe drinking water, feel free to reach out:

Joleen Mohlin
Health and Safety Coordinator
MohlinJ@District112.org

Eastern Carver County Schools
Annual Radon Notification
August 19, 2025

What is Radon?

Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that forms naturally in soil and rock. It can sometimes enter buildings through cracks or openings in the foundation. While radon is common in Minnesota, long-term exposure to high levels of radon has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer, especially in enclosed spaces.

Radon Testing in Our Schools

At Eastern Carver County Schools, the safety and health of our students and staff are a top priority. One of the ways we protect indoor air quality in our buildings is by testing for radon. Following guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), we test all school buildings every five years as required by Minnesota Statute 123B.571. We follow the MDH Guidance for Radon Testing in Minnesota Schools (2021) and the ANSI/AARST MA-MFLB 2023 protocol.

• If a space in a school building shows radon levels above the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), we conduct follow-up testing with continuous monitors while the space is occupied.
• If needed, we make adjustments to our ventilation systems or take other mitigation steps to reduce radon levels.
• After remediation, we retest to confirm that radon levels are safely reduced.

You can find more information below:

Radon Management Plan

Radon Testing Results

Radon Testing Schedule

If you have any questions about our radon testing procedures, results, or mitigation efforts, please reach out to:

Joleen Mohlin - Health and Safety Coordinator - MohlinJ@District112.org

Eastern Carver County Schools
Annual Asbestos Notification
August 19, 2025

At Eastern Carver County Schools, the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families is always our top priority. As part of our commitment to maintaining a healthy environment, we follow all federal and state guidelines for managing asbestos-containing materials in our buildings.

In compliance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), we routinely inspect and manage any known asbestos-containing building materials. While asbestos may still be present in some older school buildings, it does not pose a health risk when properly maintained and monitored.

To ensure our buildings remain safe, Eastern Carver County Schools partners with the Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA), a trusted provider of environmental health and safety consulting services. Together, we:

·         Train district staff to safely work around materials that may contain asbestos

·         Inform short-term workers (such as electricians and plumbers) of asbestos locations

·         Conduct inspections every six months to monitor the condition of asbestos materials

·         Hire licensed professionals to repair or remove (abate) asbestos when necessary

Scheduled Asbestos-Related Activities for the 2025–2026 School Year
As part of our ongoing maintenance plan, asbestos-related work will be taking place at the following school sites:

·         Chanhassen Elementary

·         Chaska Middle School East

·         Chaska Middle School West

·         District Education Center

·         Family Learning Center

·         La Academia

·         Star Building

You can find more information below:

Asbestos Management Plan

Asbestos Final Reports

If you have any questions about our asbestos management plan, inspection results, or upcoming work, feel free to reach out:

Joleen Mohlin
Health and Safety Coordinator
MohlinJ@District112.org

Or:

Matt Lindberg
Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA)
763-315-791

Eastern Carver County Schools
Annual Pest and Weed Management Notification
August 19, 2025

Pest Control: Eastern Carver County Schools uses a licensed, professional pest control service firm for the prevention and control of rodents, insects, and other pests in and around the district’s buildings. Pests can sting, bite, cause contamination, damage property, and spread disease; therefore, we must prevent their presence and control them as necessary. The district or outside contractors may also apply herbicides on district properties, as deemed necessary. The long-term health effects on children from the application of such pesticides may not be fully understood.  All pest control materials are chosen and applied according to labeling directions per Federal law.

Weed Control: To limit the potential pesticide exposure, the district follows safety regulations to ensure pesticides are applied properly.  All pesticide products, which are used in and around school buildings, are required to be registered with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  In addition, school employees and certified and licensed applicators are required by state and federal law to comply with all requirements of the pesticide label, including building sites, application rates, re-entry intervals, posting, use of personal protective equipment, use restrictions, and disposal on the product label. An estimated schedule of pesticide applications is available for review.

We appreciate your partnership in helping keep our schools safe and well-maintained. If you have concerns about pest or weed control at your child’s school, please don’t hesitate to reach out. If you would like to receive prior notification of unscheduled pesticide or herbicide applications, or if you have any questions about our pest and weed control practices, we are happy to assist.

Contact: Joleen Mohlin - Health and Safety Coordinator - MohlinJ@District112.org

Eastern Carver County Schools
Annual Indoor Air Quality Notification
August 19, 2025

At Eastern Carver County Schools, the health and comfort of our students, staff, and families is incredibly important to us. One of the ways we support a safe and healthy learning environment is by actively managing and monitoring indoor air quality (IAQ) in all of our buildings. We follow best practices and guidelines provided by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to ensure our schools meet high standards for air quality.

Our Indoor Air Quality Management Plan outlines the steps we take to maintain clean and healthy air inside our schools. The plan addresses everything from daily HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) upkeep to moisture control and the reduction of airborne pollutants.

What We’re Doing to Ensure Healthy Indoor Air:

• Regular inspections of HVAC systems across all schools
• Scheduled filter changes and routine preventative maintenance
• Monitoring for moisture and humidity to prevent mold and mildew
• Quick follow-up on any IAQ concerns reported by staff or families
• Annual IAQ survey distributed to staff to report concerns and promote awareness around improving air quality in individual spaces (topics may include animals in the classroom, temperature comfort, ventilation, maintenance, and cleanliness)
• Annual walkthrough inspections conducted by the Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA), an expert environmental health and safety partner. These assessments use sight, sound, and smell to quickly identify visible issues like water intrusion, ventilation or structural problems, cleanliness concerns, and any signs that may impact indoor air quality.
• Ongoing collaboration with environmental experts to ensure we are following the most current and effective practices

You can find more information below:

Indoor Air Quality Management Plan

Indoor Air Quality Assessment Results

If you have questions about indoor air quality in your child’s school—or if you ever have a concern you’d like to report—we’re here to help. Feel free to reach out:

Joleen Mohlin
Health and Safety Coordinator
MohlinJ@District112.org

We are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy school environment for every student, every day. Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s well-being and success!