Radon Testing
RE: Radon Testing Results and Mitigation Plan
Dear Parents, Families, and Staff,
I am writing to share the results of recent air-quality testing conducted across the York School Department. This testing is part of a proactive, state-supported monitoring program designed to ensure our facilities meet the highest health and safety standards.
Summary of Results
In accordance with State testing requirements, we tested every ground-floor room and 10% of upper-floor rooms across all school buildings. The results are as follows:
Village Elementary School (VES): All tested areas returned results below the EPA’s action level of 4.0 pCi/L.
Coastal Ridge Elementary School (CRES): All tested areas returned results below the EPA’s action level of 4.0 pCi/L.
York Middle School (YMS): The majority of the tested areas were below the action level. However, a small number of specific non-classroom spaces (music storage, gym equipment storage, library storage, OM storage, and the technology/server room) returned results at or above the EPA’s action level of 4.0 pCi/L threshold.
York High School (YHS): The majority of the tested areas were below the action level. A small number of specific non-classroom spaces (the YCA, YCA support rooms, band uniform storage, and the boiler room) returned results at or above the EPA’s action level of 4.0 pCi/L threshold.
Our Immediate Action Plan
Under Maine law, schools are not required to take mitigation action when radon test results are at or above the action level of 4.0 pCi/L. However, we believe it is important to take proactive steps to support the long-term health and safety of our students and staff. In consultation with the Maine State Radon Coordinator, we have developed a clear plan to address these findings at both the Middle School and High School.
HVAC System Optimization: Effective immediately, our facilities team has initiated the process of adjusting the ventilation systems at YMS and YHS to increase the flow of fresh outdoor air into the affected areas. This is a highly effective interim measure that immediately dilutes radon concentrations.
Professional Mitigation: We are investigating additional mitigation measures, including engaging certified environmental specialists to design and install permanent subterranean depressurization systems should they be deemed necessary in the future. These systems work by venting gas from beneath the foundation directly to the outdoors, ensuring it never enters the building.
Continued Use of Spaces: Because radon is a long-term (rather than acute) health consideration, there is no recommendation to relocate students or staff during the mitigation process.
Next Steps
We are committed to full transparency throughout this process. Once the adjustments are in place, we will conduct follow-up testing to verify that levels have been successfully reduced. We will share those updated results with you as soon as they are available.
More information about radon can be found on the State of Maine radon website. For any questions, please contact Facilities Manager, Kirk Soule, ksoule@yorkschools.org.
Thank you for your support as we continue to invest in maintaining a safe learning environment for our students and staff.
Sincerely,
Timothy L. Doak
Superintendent of Schools