Virginia seeks more data, transparency on public school air quality

Public schools in Virginia may soon be required to conduct routine air-quality inspections due to legislation that passed the General Assembly in February. 

Democratic Fairfax County lawmakers Del. Dan Helmer and Sen. Scott Surovell introduced bills requiring schools to conduct routine inspections for air quality every two years; and for heating, ventilation and air conditioning every four years. The bills became identical through amendments. 

The biennial air quality testing includes radon levels, fumes from paint, pesticides and airborne contaminants like fungi, mold and bacteria. They will also examine moisture levels and structural integrity in roofing and basements. The four-year inspections will check HVAC systems and must be completed by industry professionals.

Schools will be required to share their findings, along with a list of necessary maintenance or repairs, in a report to be made publicly available on their websites and at school board meetings.

“This is just such an important issue for students and teachers,” Helmer said. “As we saw during COVID, the lack of good air circulation and air quality contributed to the closures of our schools. We need to make sure that doesn't happen again.”

Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling, D-Henrico, attempted to pass a more ambitious bill in 2024 requiring schools to perform regular maintenance and updates for air quality systems, but it failed over concerns the fiscal burden would fall on localities. 

JT Kessler, director of legislative services with the Virginia School Boards Association, raised concerns over LeVere Bolling’s bill. Kessler was prepared to do the same for Helmer’s bill this year, until Helmer worked to amend it into the inexpensive version that passed. 

Helmer’s substitute was to balance the need for safe air with the desire to not put an unfunded mandate on local schools, he explained in a House Education subcommittee on Jan. 28.

Rather than require costly maintenance, the bill outlines minimum standards for inspections. 

“This provides us with a standardized approach for understanding, and allows parents and localities and the commonwealth to be in the position where we can take action where the school area is dangerous,” Helmer said.

One education advocate who testified in support of the bill said air quality impacts attendance and academic performance. 

The bill is an important step so parents and policymakers know how schools are faring and can make needed plans, according to Virginia Education Association lobbyist Chad Stewart. Virginia has previously allocated federal dollars for HVAC system improvement and that could happen again.

“Many schools may already have this data on hand, and it's simply adding it to an annual report,” Stewart said.

The requirements apply to buildings occupied by school board employees and students during regular work and school hours. There are 2,258 local and regional schools and centers, according to Virginia Department of Education data.

The bills passed both chambers of the General Assembly, and both bills picked up some Republican votes in support. The deadline for Gov. Glenn Youngkin to amend or veto legislation is March 24.