Health & Safety
Thanks for visiting the Princeton Public Schools Health and Safety webpage. My name is Keith Barlage, the Director of Buildings and Grounds. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about the facilities here at the Princeton Public Schools.
- Safety Committee
- Radon Gas Testing
- Lead in Water Testing
- Asbestos Notification
- Pesticide and Herbicide Application Notification
- Indoor Air Quality Notification
- District Items for Sale
Radon gas is found in soil, rocks, underground water supplies and in the air. Radon is often
associated with increased risk of developing lung cancer. The Minnesota Department of Health
(MDH) recommends schools test radon levels in occupied areas that are in contact with the ground.
In November 2015, as a part of the School District's ongoing Health and Safety Program, radon testing was completed at all sites.
The results show radon concentration levels were well below the MDH recommended guidelines.
Lead is a common metal that has been in many consumer products but is now known to be harmful to human health if ingested or inhaled. It can be found in lead-based paint, air, soil, household dust, food, some types of pottery, and drinking water. When people come in contact with lead, it may enter their bodies and accumulate over time, resulting in damage to the brain, nervous system, red blood cells, and kidneys.
Lead in water is the result of leeching from solder, piping and brass fixtures. The longer water stands in a plumbing system, the greater potential there is for lead to leech into a supply.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) provides rigorous guidelines for addressing lead in water. Testing is the first step, and if lead levels exceed 20 parts per billion (ppb), a flushing protocol is then put in place. The testing is always conducted when it is expected to be the highest—in the morning. The Minnesota Department of Health suggests schools on public water systems test fixtures for lead once every five years, though the testing is not required under state law.
In July 2014, as a part of the School District's ongoing Health and Safety Program, completed lead in water testing at all of their school district sites.
The results show lead concentration levels were well below the MDH recommended guidelines.The Minnesota Department of Health states that virtually all lead cases they see are the result of exposure at home. We encourage all parents and guardians to become knowledgeable about the risks in their homes. Find more information about lead in water at
The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) requires that each school district notify workers and building occupants annually regarding asbestos-related activities. Until the late seventies, asbestos was commonly used in commercial and residential building materials such as floor tile, fire-proofing spray, and thermal system insulation used on pipes, tanks, and boilers.
All of our school buildings were inspected for asbestos-containing materials according to AHERA protocol, using state accredited inspectors. Management plans are continually updated and available for review by contacting the principal’s office at the following schools: District Center, Princeton High School, and Princeton Intermediate School.
AHERA also requires that the district conduct surveillance inspections every six months to evaluate the condition of asbestos-containing materials and have a state certified inspector completely re-inspect our buildings every three years. This is done to ensure that these materials are maintained in a safe condition. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minnesota Department of Education have recommended that asbestos-containing materials be maintained in-place whenever possible. No asbestos maintenance and abatement has taken place in the last school year. If you have any questions regarding this matter, you may contact the District’s asbestos program administrator, Keith Barlage, Buildings and Grounds Director at 763-389-6187, or Michelle Czech, Director of Business Services at 763-389-6183.
A Minnesota law requires the district to inform parents and guardians that the district applies certain pesticides and herbicides on school property. The law requires the district to maintain an estimated schedule of pesticide applications and make the schedule available to parents and guardians for review. This schedule, as well as health and safety information on each chemical used for pesticide and herbicide application is now available at the District Center.
The law also requires that you be told that the long-term effects on children from the application of pesticides and herbicides or the class of chemicals to which they belong may not be fully understood. Further, the law does not “affect the duty of a parent or student to comply with the compulsory attendance law.” A parent or student may not use the application of pesticides or herbicides as a reason for a student not attending school. A commercial pest control company inspects each building quarterly and applies pesticides in affected areas on an as-needed basis, typically once per year in each building. No category I, II, or III pesticides are used. The estimated schedule for pesticide application for 2017-2018 school year: October 20th 2017, December 27th 2017, April 2nd 2018 and June 8th 2018.
Please keep in mind that these dates are subject to change. If you would like to be contacted prior to pesticide and herbicide application (excluding emergency applications) or if you have questions regarding this notice, you may contact the program administrator, Keith Barlage, Buildings and Grounds Director at 763-389-6187, or Michelle Czech, Director of Business Services at 763-389-6183.
The District has developed an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management Plan that contains information for concerned parents and staff regarding the air quality in the schools. This management plan also contains plans for addressing any known issues and locations where more information can be obtained. As specified by the requirements of the Minnesota Department of Education, the Princeton district is notifying all staff and parents that the IAQ Coordinator is Keith Barlage, Buildings and Grounds Director, who can be reached at 763-389-6187. Please contact the IAQ Coordinator if you should have any questions, concerns, or would like to view the IAQ Management Plan. In that person’s absence, you may contact Michelle Czech, Director of Business Services at 763-389-6183.
Additional information about Indoor Air Quality, including parental checklists for at home, can be found on the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools.
The Princeton School District has taken a proactive approach to health and safety and will react to your concerns in a timely manner. Please feel free to utilize the Health and Safety Department as your resource for information or to express your concerns.