Union memo regarding school reopening, Oct 2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Upiled Fedepillon of Teicheps Local 2, American Federation of Teachers. AFL-CIO 260 Park Avenue South New York, N.Y. 10010 (212) 777"7500 Memorandum October 9, 2001

To: Stuyvesant High School Staff

From: Tom Pappas, UFT Director of Staff John Soldini, UFT Vice President High Schools Jerry Goldman, UFT Manhattan Borough Representative Tom Drumgool, UFT Manhattan High Schools District Representative Klaus Borneman, UFT Health and Safety Special Representative Ellie Engler & Chris Proctor, UFT Industrial Hygienists

Re: Re-Occupying Stuyvesant High School

Following the disaster at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, the New York City Board of Education closed Stuyvesant High School because it was located in the frozen zone (i.e., the area that was closed off to the public to facilitate the City's recovery and cleanup effort). At this time the area where the school is located is now accessible to the public.

Right after the disaster, the Union worked with the Board of Education (BOE) to develop and implement inspection, environmental monitoring and clean-up protocols at the school. The BOE assessed the building's structural strength and stability as well as the gas, electrical and water service and the New York City Fire Department inspected the fire and life safety alarm systems. The BOE directed the School Construction Authority (SCA) to conduct cleanup and air monitoring of the building.

On October 4, the Union inspected the school along with representatives from the BOE Division of School Facilities Environmental Health and Safety (BOE DSF EHS) and Office of Occupational Safety and Health (BOE OOSH), the SCA, the third party air monitoring firm (ATC) and the Parents' Association consultant, Howard Bader. The visual inspection included an examination of the ventilation system, classroom univents, the roof, the auditorium and random classrooms on each floor.

Following the inspection the Union attended a 2 PM meeting with local and federal agency representatives (including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, NYC Department of Health, NYBOE, the SCA, the Parents Association consultant and the school custodian) to review the environmental testing and

IIF Affiliated with the New York State AFL-CIO, New York City Central Labor Council and the New York State United Teachers

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