Kennedy High students may start school next week in temporary classrooms or at other WCCUSD campuses, depending upon the results of tests examining whether a chemical known as PCE is present in the indoor air at potentially unsafe levels.
In an update sent to the Kennedy community Tuesday, Superintendent Cheryl Cotton outlined three possible plans, depending on the test results. The district expects to decide which plan it will implement by Thursday evening.
“If that testing shows that students and staff are safe to fully return to all buildings on the Kennedy campus, that will be our plan,” Cotton wrote in a message to the school community. “In the case that test results do not show that we are safe to fully return to the entire Kennedy campus, we will engage in one of the following plans based on what the data shows.”
If you go
What: West Contra Costa Unified School District, DTSC and the city of Richmond officials will meet with the community to discuss the Kennedy High campus closure.
When: Thur., Aug. 13, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza
The campus was shut down last week after preliminary testing found a chemical solvent, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), in the soil on campus. The state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) emphasized that there is “no immediate risk” based on preliminary findings. Out of an “abundance of caution” the district and city closed the campus and the swimming pool to allow for further testing and mitigating any potential exposure. Learn more about the prevalence of PCE in Richmond.
PCE is a volatile chemical that can vaporize. Long-term exposure can lead to a variety of health effects including sleepiness, dizziness and more serious illnesses like liver or bladder cancer. Learn more about what Bay Area doctors think and recommend.
Non-school sites, virtual learning ruled out
The district initially considered a broad range of potential temporary locations, including the Craneway Pavilion on Harbour Way South, Contra Costa College in San Pablo or other school and city properties.
But after consulting with the California Department of Education and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, district officials said they are no longer pursuing such options because Kennedy High does not qualify for an emergency exemption from California’s Field Act requirements for school facilities.
learn about richmond’s wider pce problem
According to Cotton, DTSC does not consider the situation an emergency under its requirements and instead sees the district’s actions as an immediate response intended to prevent potential health impacts.
Virtual learning is also no longer being considered as a solution, however students can request to do their own independent study.
“Pursuant to recent changes in Ed Code, a student may request independent study should their family wish to do so; however, a student or family cannot be compelled to enroll in an independent study or virtual environment,” Cotton said. “In addition, teachers of special education at Kennedy have raised important questions and concerns about the impacts of independent study or virtual learning on our most vulnerable students.”
So, if there’s still a question regarding PCE levels, the district is considering three possible plans for the start of the school year, which is Aug. 18.
Plan A: Students return to part of the Kennedy campus
Under this scenario, students would return to the Kennedy campus even if some of the school’s permanent buildings remain unavailable due to the presence of PCE vapors.
doctors say known level of pce not health risk
For example, if testing determines that the school’s portable classrooms are safe while other buildings require additional testing or remediation, classes could be moved into the available spaces.
The district plans to use activated-carbon air purifiers in classrooms and offices that are occupied.
Two large tents would also be installed to provide covered areas for physical education and lunch during rainy weather.
Plan B: Kennedy temporarily moves off campus
If the district decides that the overall Kennedy campus is not safe for students and staff to use, the school could be temporarily split between two campuses.
Ninth- and 10th-grade students would attend Helms Middle School in San Pablo, which is 3.5 miles from Kennedy High, where they would be organized into small-learning community cohorts. Eleventh- and 12th-grade students would attend Serra Adult School which is 2.5 miles away, near Wildcat Canyon Regional Park.
The move would also significantly change students’ schedules. Kennedy would temporarily switch from its usual eight-period schedule to a six-period day focused on graduation and A-G requirements.
Students’ transcripts would reflect semester grades during the temporary arrangement. The district said its goal would be to return Kennedy to its regular eight-period schedule before the end of the first quarter.
The district is already collecting information about staff relocation needs as it prepares for the possibility of moving students off campus.
Plan C: A week of off-campus learning
A third scenario could be deployed if environmental scientists need additional time to analyze air-quality data before determining whether Kennedy can reopen partially or must relocate.
If that happens, the first week of school could become a week of “expeditionary learning.”
Students would participate in orientation and welcome activities Tuesday, with the location still to be determined. From Wednesday through Friday, students would take part in off-campus study trips focused on local colleges, careers and community events.
The plan would give DTSC scientists additional time to evaluate the environmental testing while allowing students to begin the school year with structured activities and community-building experiences.
Decision expected Thursday
The district expects to announce which plan it will use by Thursday evening, Aug. 13.
The district is hosting a school board meeting today at 6:30 p.m. where it will share other updates regarding the situation at Kennedy High. It will also host its second cross-agency town hall meeting on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium.
Last week, Cotton said the worst-case scenario is that the campus is closed for 60 days and the best case is that school starts as usual on campus. Regardless, the first day of school will be Tuesday.
Registration and other back-to-school preparation for Kennedy High is taking place at DeJean Middle School.
The district said it is continuing to work on transportation, schedules, educational services and other logistical details for each possible scenario.
“Our priority is to make sure that all our Kennedy Eagles have a safe and supportive start to the year,” Cotton wrote.
