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About Cannon Beach gazette. (Cannon Beach, Or.) 1977-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 9, 2016)
September 9, 2016 | Cannon Beach Gazette | cannonbeachgazette.com • 7A State education board adopts lead testing rule By Paris Achen EO Media Group SILVERTON, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Education adopted a new rule that for the irst time requires school districts to test for lead in wa- ter at district-owned buildings and report those results to the public. The board in June agreed to fast-track adoption of the new rule at the request of Gov. Kate Brown, after widespread media coverage of a scandal in Port- land Public Schools over lead in drinking water that went un- reported. The rule requires school districts to submit a prelimi- nary plan for testing for both lead and radon by Oct. 1, with a inal plan due by Jan. 1. While the rule gives no speciic deadline for testing for lead, it does require districts to report results to the public within ive business days and to send out an annual report. “What we like about this plan is that part of what we saw in Portland was the community didn’t have access to informa- tion, and in fact, when you have large institutions information can get lost over the years,” said Emily Nazarov, operations policy analyst with the Oregon Department of Education, who headed up the rulemaking. “By creating a plan you have one place that community members and parents can look to ind out how does the school district address radon, how does the school district plan to address water.” EO MEDIA GROUP A sink that tested positive for elevated lead levels has been shut of and tagged. he Oregon Board of Education ad- opted a new rule Wednesday that for the irst time requires school districts to test for lead in water at district-owned buildings and report those results to the public. The Board of Education pushed ahead with the rule de- spite protests from school ad- vocates who said the timeline was too tight and expressed worry about where to ind money to address the cost of testing and mitigation. “You are setting up a framework by which we have assurances at the state level that our schools are taking ac- tion in a comprehensive way toward health and safety,” said Oregon Chief Education Oficer Lindsey Capps. “It’s an imperative that every stu- dent should be entitled to.” The requirement will en- tail hundreds of millions of dollars in additional costs to schools in the form of testing, supplying bottle water, miti- gation and testing individuals who might have been exposed to high levels of lead, accord- ing to the Oregon School Boards Association. Portland Public Schools estimates that taking those steps will cost that district an estimated $7 million, said Joe Crelier, the district’s director of risk management. The cost of just testing lead in water for drinking and food preparation is estimated to cost $10,000 for a small district and about $1 million for a large district, according to district representatives who attended a July 25 meeting on the proposed rules. Legislative leadership has asked the Emergency Board to allocate money in Septem- ber to pay for costs of testing but not mitigation, Nazarov of ODE said. The Legislative Fiscal Ofice is working on a proposal to present to the Emergency Board Sept. 23, according to school advo- cates. Legislative Fiscal Ofi- cer Ken Rocco was not imme- diately available Wednesday to provide that number. Gov. Brown in April di- rected the Oregon Depart- ment of Education and Or- egon Health Authority to review existing requirements for environmental testing and address the problem of lead in drinking water. During the re- view, health and education of- icials learned that neither the education department nor the health authority had rules to require schools test for lead. The health authority has the power to require testing of public water systems, but schools are excluded from the agency’s jurisdiction. The proposed rule would re- quire school districts, char- ter schools and education services districts to conduct lead and radon testing and to submit an environmental monitoring plan to ODE for keeping water, air and phys- ical spaces safe for students and staff. The health authority al- ready had authority to require schools to test for radon, but the new rule will provide comprehensive guidance to schools on all of the testing required. Schools will be re- quired to report their test re- sults to the education depart- ment and to the community annually. The agencies asked schools to test for lead during the summer. Most of the dis- tricts have either completed or are in the process of testing, Nazarov said. The agencies recommended that schools identify sources of lead, stop access, communicate results to staff, students, parents and the community and mitigate and repair the problem. A survey of 104 schools earlier this month by the OSBA found that 88 percent of respondents were in the process of testing drinking water for lead. Most of the other 12 percent had either already tested water or had a plan in place to do so after classes resume in the fall. Dougherty ields questions about school bond measure Bond Q & A from Page 1A would cause great concern. The mold was in a storage area. It wasn’t in the class- rooms. The lead pipes have been encapsulated for years and decades. They’re perfect- ly safe. We have had asbestos people who specialize in that come and periodically check that as well. Q: When will the plans for the new school campus be available? A: We met with the archi- tects, the irm Dull Olson and Weeks, on Friday. It could be a few days or it could be a few weeks. Q: Do you intend the new facility to act as an emer- gency shelter? A: Yes. We’ll have a struc- ture where we’ll be able to house people in. It will be built to stay safe to stand in a 9.0 earthquake. The only level higher is for hospitals. Q: What are the schools that would be moved out of the tsunami inundation zone? A: Gearhart, Broadway Middle School and Seaside High School. Q: In the 2013 bond plan, THE COASTER THEATRE PLAYHOUSE PRESENTS you were originally going to close Seaside Heights Ele- mentary School. What will happen to that school? A: We are adding an addi- tion to Seaside Heights Ele- mentary. … That will help the additional students that will be coming from Gearhart El- ementary School. Q: How many students will the new campus hold? A: It will hold 1,700. We currently have 1,550 students. Q: Will the middle school and high school be sepa- rate? A: They will be fairly close to one another for efi- ciency purposes. It will cost us less for us to be able to do that. Q: What will happen to the old schools? A: Those will be sold whenever the board decides they want to sell them. That money could go to an audi- torium or could be sold. I be- lieve most of those areas are zoned residential. Q: If this school bond doesn’t pass, do you have a Plan B? A: Sen. Ron Wyden came to me and said the relocation of Seaside schools is a matter of life and death. I have all types of scientists basically concurring that the schools need to be moved soon, for that reason. That’s only part. The other part that’s very im- portant for our community is to understand the current con- ditions of our current struc- tures. They’re deteriorating. In the last ive years, we’ve had to spend an average of $300,000 a year in emergen- cy repairs per year because buildings are structurally de- teriorating. It’s continuing to go up because the buildings are crumbling. Q: Are you a paid consul- tant? A: I’m doing this as a cit- izen. I’m still working for the school district. But I am off hours at this time. Q: If this does pass, do you see federal involvement and state involvement more likely? A: I’ve been here 15 years trying to get federal and state monies. Sen. Wyden and Sen. Merkley had two $10 million requests for us. Those didn’t go anywhere. There’s still cur- rently money out there school districts all over the state can access, that we cannot access SERVING LUNCH & DINNER OPEN AT 11:30 because our schools are in tsunami inundation zone. I get a lot of support from legisla- tors, from our senators, (U.S. Rep.) Suzanne Bonamici, everybody, but the problem is, accessing those funds has been very dificult for them. Am I optimistic? Do I hope? I hope there are additional funds. But we need to move forward. Q: If the voters approve the $99.7 million bond, will there be hidden or addition- al costs? A: What we have been told, of all the school proj- ects this architectural irm has done, they’ve never gone over budget. — This interview was con- ducted by R.J. Marx, editor of Cannon Beach Gazette. School district puts bond issue to voters Vote from Page 1A At Seaside High School, classrooms are water-dam- aged and pipes covered with asbestos. Mold ills storage areas. An oil boiler is ineficient and must be “patched together” to remain func- tional. On rainy days, Superinten- leaks quick- dent Sheila ly ill large Roley speaks garbage cans during a spe- — “every- cial meeting thing from to discuss the slow drips u p c o m i n g to streams of bond. water.” A 2013 district bond is- sue asked for $128.8 million to fund a new campus and would have required $2.16 per thousand dollars of as- sessed value for property owners. That measure failed at the polls. The new bond equates to about $1.35 per thousand, a 37.5 percent total reduction in cost from the previous bond. A proposed auditorium was eliminated to reduce costs, as were plans to rebuild Seaside Heights Elementary School. “The board heard the message when it was defeated last time,” Phillips said prior to the board vote. “People were concerned about that price.” The new bond was “looking at what we hon- estly have to have, not just as a safety factor for our children, but to replace deteriorating buildings that are starting to cost the district money that we don’t have.” Phillips said. “I think people will un- derstand we’re looking at things we really need, not just a wish list.” NEW LISTING NEW PRICE NEW LISTING OWN THE VERY BEST AT THE BEACH RARE PRESIDENTIAL STREET LOCATION 163 W Washington St, Cannon Beach THE PERFECT BEACH PIED-A-TERRE 715 Oak, Cannon Beach 115 W Nelchena St, Cannon Beach Ocean view masterpiece, designed & built by the best Oregon artisans with the finest materials. Perfection is waiting for you amid the every changing sounds and drama of the seascape. Ocean living area with ocean view, just 200’ to the beach and 1 block to town. 2 decks + patio. Cozy ambiance, monitored security. Too many amenities to list! FOR DETAILS CALL 1-800-784-9541 EXT 200 CMLS#15-397 $1,695,000 Tina Chapman 503-440-9957 CMLS#16-8 $1,388,000 Jackie Weber 503-440-2331 This lovely ocean view home beguiles you with its many charms, located only a quick stroll to the sand and sea and close to Haystack Rock. CMLS#16-1012 $550,000 Kate Merrell 503-739-2324 NEW LISTING NEW LISTING NEW PRICE STUNNING AND UNIQUE TRI-LEVEL 505 Breakers Point Condo, Cannon Beach BREATHE DEEP AND RELAX 79955 W Beach Rd, Arch Cape LOCATION AND VIEW! 1688 S Hemlock, Cannon Beach Coveted ocean front with iconic Haystack Rock and sweeping panoramic seascapes. With 3 bedrooms, 4 baths, 2 decks and furnishings included, you will have room for everyone! Spacious home beckons you with privacy, forever ocean views, ample room to spread out and live large with generous sized rooms. Deck, stone gas fireplace, 3 bedrooms, 4 baths. Open, airy floor plan, beachy, light and bright with array of windows & light wood interior. FOR DETAILS CALL 1-800-784-9541 EXT 699. CMLS#16-1011 $795,000 Katy Walstra Smith 503-309-3306 CMLS#16-1277 $685,000 Kate Merrell 503-739-2324 NEW LISTING NEW LISTING NEW PRICE GREAT LOT CLOSE TO THE OCEAN PERFECT BEACH RETREAT 176 Division St S, Manzanita FUN & COLORFUL MID-CENTURY BEACHY CMLS#16-332 $825,000 Jackie Weber 503-440-2331 Tuesday’s Open at 4pm March 4 - April 16, 2016 Tickets $23 or $18 Shows begin at 7:30 pm Sunday shows at 3:00 pm Sponsored by Jan Martin Tickets: 503-436-1242 or coastertheatre.com COASTER THEATRE PLAYHOUSE 108 N Hemlock St Cannon Beach, OR Delightful Beer Garden • Ocean View Deck Pool Tables • Darts Full Bar ( including Bill’s Tavern brews ) but that’s not all... Smoked Pork Ribs • Steak • Seafood and much, much more! Lot 6602 Pacific Ave, Cannon Beach With an ocean view, this lot reaches from Pacific Avenue to Ocean Lane. Utilities at the street, elevated, secluded and in a neighborhood of lovely homes. CMLS #16-117 $395,000 Karen Meili 503-440-5806 79596 Hwy 101, Arch Cape Your wish list is complete when you see this 3 bd, 2 full bath condo with fabulous kitchen, spacious living space, big garage, cozy fireplace and close to town & beach! Fabulous opportunity to enjoy the coast without a big cost. Guest house is 4th bedroom. FOR DETAILS CALL 1-800- 784-9541 EXT 261 CMLS16-849 $355,000 Darel Grothaus 503-717-2814 CMLS#16-1110 $350,000 Jackie Weber 503-440-2331 NEW LISTING NEW PRICE NEW LISTING DO YOUR OWN THING 31941 Cottage Ln, Arch Cape PRIDE OF OWNERSHIP BEACH LIFE! 10570 Meadowlark Ln, Manzanita 403 Cannon Beach Ridge #201, Cannon Beach Lots of options on this location, just two homes back from the ocean with deck ocean views. FOR DETAILS CALL 1-800-784-9541 EXT 261 Walk to the bay & Elk Preserve Park from this exquisite, light & bright home. FOR DETAILS CALL 1-800-784-9541 EXT 261 Just 1/4 mile to the sand, 200’ to the woods, 1 mile to downtown. High above the tsunami line. Hike or bike on miles of easy trails out your front door. 2 bd, 1 bath. CMLS#16-1218 $319,000 Jackie Weber 503-440-2331 CMLS#16-191 $299,999 Jackie Weber 503-440-2331 CMLS#16-1149 $225,000 Tina Chapman 503-440-9957 Located in SOUTH Cannon Beach 3301 S. Hemlock St. • Tolovana Park 503.436.1130 • Minors Welcome 102.3 fm the Classic Rock Station CANNON BEACH OFFICE GEARHART OFFICE 255 N. Hemlock, Ste. B1 • Cannon Beach, OR 97110 800/676-1176 • 503/436-1027 588 Pacific Way • Gearhart, OR 97138 800/275-7773 • 503/738-8522 Serving the Entire North Oregon Coast • www.WindermereOregonCoast.com
