News Summary
Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School remains closed due to ongoing roof repairs and hazardous air quality. The situation has raised community concerns regarding safety and communication, especially after alarming air quality test results showed pollution levels significantly exceeding acceptable limits. Students are temporarily relocated to alternative campuses as repairs continue, with plans for further air quality testing and regular updates from school officials.
Ahwatukee – Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School will remain closed until at least the fall break due to ongoing roof work and hazardous air quality conditions. This decision, announced by school officials earlier this week, has left many in the community concerned about the students’ safety and educational disruptions.
The roof repairs, initially paused to conduct air quality testing, revealed pollution levels that are 28 times higher than what is considered acceptable according to the guidelines set by the U.S. Green Building Council. As a precaution, students affected by the closure have been relocated to either the Cerritos/Altadeña campus or Kyrene de la Esperanza.
In addition to the current educational disruptions, school officials have noted that the Kyrene de la Sierra community should prepare for students to remain at alternative campuses through the winter break unless the roof repairs can be completed sooner. Ongoing follow-up air quality testing will be conducted once roof work resumes and is finished. The officials have emphasized that ensuring the safety of the campus is their utmost priority, and they intend to avoid any further interruptions to the students’ education.
Community Concerns
Air Quality Testing Results
Preliminary air quality tests indicated significantly elevated levels of particulate matter, with additional results expected soon to identify specific chemicals that may be present. The district had initiated the closure of the school starting August 4 and had initially planned for students to engage in a week of online learning. Following this period, the students were relocated to their alternative schools on August 11 to continue their education while the roof construction was expedited.
As part of managing this situation, students have been advised to prepare for this transition. The school district is working to expedite roof construction that involves asphalt and off-gassing, aiming to have repairs completed by October. Furthermore, the district has committed to providing regular updates about the roof replacement process and its impacts on school operations through their official website.
Looking Ahead
While the ongoing roof repairs and air quality concerns have created an unexpected challenge for Kyrene de la Sierra Elementary School, school officials are taking necessary steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the students during this period. The timeline for the completion of repairs will be closely monitored, with follow-up testing to ascertain that air quality standards are met before any reopening decisions are made. The school district remains dedicated to keeping the community informed throughout this process.
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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
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion 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 the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
