FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Elleka Yost
ASBO International
866.682.2729 x7065
[email protected]

Claire Barnett
Healthy Schools Network
202.543.7555
 

ASBO Addresses Lead in Schools for National Healthy Schools Day

Reston, VA – April 3, 2018 – The Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) is proud to participate in the 16^th Annual National Healthy Schools Day on April 3 with the Healthy Schools Network and 60 organizations to promote healthier schools. This year’s theme focuses on lead in school and child care infrastructure, and participants are engaging in various activities to spread awareness about the dangers of lead and how to eliminate lead from learning facilities throughout the week.

In the U.S., there are about 55 million children enrolled in public and private K–12 schools and 11 million attending child care facilities every day. Despite increasing student enrollment and rising facility repair costs, schools continue to be asked to “do more with less.” There is no question that schools need more support with facility maintenance and repairs, including identifying and eliminating lead in paint, water, and elsewhere. Lead testing and removal require careful management and can be very costly, making it a critical issue that cannot be solved by any single individual or organization alone but rather a communal effort where each person and agency can play an important role.

“ASBO International believes all children deserve a safe and healthy learning environment,” said ASBO International Executive Director John Musso, CAE, RSBA. “As the finance, facility, and operations leaders of school districts, school business officials pave the way to healthier schools by educating staff about the dangers of lead products and developing lead-free procurement policies in their districts.” Musso added, “We are proud to support National Healthy Schools Day and encourage our members to participate too!”

Claire Barnett, Executive Director of the Healthy Schools Network, the founder and host of National Healthy Schools Day stated, “It is time to put children first and end lead and other risks to all children in school and child care. For the 16th annual Day, we thank all the education and health leaders and staff in the states who have recognized the high cost of lead and other toxics to the future of children and are taking action to find and to reduce risks in school and child care settings.”

Organizations are participating in the day of awareness as a part of National Public Health Week, April 2–8, 2018. The Healthy Schools Network, ASBO International, and others will share tools and resources throughout the week to help educators, parents, and policymakers create healthier school environments in honor of National Healthy Schools Day and National Public Health Week.

Visit www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org April 2–8 to learn more about National Healthy Schools Day and access tools to create healthier learning environments.

For more resources on creating green and sustainable schools, browse ASBO International’s “Going Green” toolkit at asbointl.org/GoingGreen.

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About ASBO International
Founded in 1910, the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) is a nonprofit organization that, through its members and affiliates, represents approximately 30,000 school business professionals worldwide. ASBO International is committed to providing programs, services, and a global network that promote the highest standards in school business. Its members support student achievement through effective resource management in various areas ranging from finance and operations to food services and transportation. Learn more at asbointl.org.

About Healthy Schools Network
Healthy Schools Network is a national nonprofit founded in 1995 to advance children’s environmental health in schools and advance better school facilities. It has researched and championed root policy reforms to address the poor conditions of schools and led new calls for public health services for children with suspected exposures in schools. HS Network has received recognitions from US EPA (2001, 2005, 2007, 2017), the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (2007), Green Seal (2014), and the Walter L. Cohen Alumni Association (2016, New Orleans). In 2017, Executive Director Claire Barnett received American University School of Public Affairs’ William K. Reilly Award for Environmental Leadership and the American Public Health Association’s David P. Rall Award for contributions to public health through science-based advocacy. For more information, see www.healthyschools.org/.