Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Students and staff endangered in structurally deficient BIA schools

Severe health and safety deficiencies at the Chinle Boarding School in Many Farms, Ariz., endanger the lives of close to 500 students and staff members, according to a report released by the Department of Interior Office of Inspector General.

Severe structural cracks and unstable foundations exerted pressure on natural gas lines, electrical wires and boiler room components. Escaping natural gas or electrical discharges from damaged pipelines or wiring could result in explosions and loss of life, the report said.

The report details the health and safety issues endangering DOI staff at a number of Department of Interior facilities around the country, including 13 elementary and secondary schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Bureau of Indian Education. Deterioration at the schools inspected by the OIG ranged from minor deficiencies like leaking roofs to major deficiencies like structural weaknesses, outdated electrical systems and inadequate fire detection and suppression systems. In fact, the BIE told the OIG that 69 of its 184 elementary and secondary schools and dormitories are in poor condition.

At the Shonto Preparatory School in Shonto, Ariz., inspectors found significant electrical deficiencies that increased the risk of fire and endangered the lives of the 550 students who attend classes there. Inspectors found duct tape placed over a circuit breaker to prevent it from tripping, electrical extension cords routed through brick walls and dangling from ceilings and fire alarm system that didn’t work. The school’s ongoing rodent problem poses a risk for hantavirus.

This latest report restates many of the same structural deficiencies cited last May when the OIG issued a Flash Report, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education: Schools in Need of Immediate Action.

Despite the dire predictions in that report and recommendations for immediate step to mitigate the issues, the BIE FY 2009 school construction budget was cut by about $30.5 million from 2008. Included within this request amount is $115.4 million for Education Construction, a reduction of $27.6 million from the 2008 enacted level. The FY 2009 request fully funds the replacement of the Dennehotso Boarding School, a K-8 on-reservation boarding school in Arizona, and replaces buildings at the Chinle Boarding School. The Education Construction request also includes funding for facilities improvement and repair projects including $50.7 million for annual maintenance. In addition, employee housing is funded at $1.6 million.

1 comment:

  1. I am not surprised to see this article. Many structures across the Nations Indian Lands are dangerous to all occupants. Not only structurally, they also pose serious health problems due to the deteriortation of the building materials themselves, such as, Mold, Asbestos, Hanta Virus etc... I have tried to bring these Indoor Air Quality issues to thier attention since the late 1980's to no avail. I hope you have more success with your article. Northern Native Woman

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