From Policy to Practice – Developing Effective School District IAQ Management Plans

Date: September 15, 2026
Time: 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM
Ballroom B

Recording Only

Indoor air quality (IAQ) directly affects student and staff health and well-being, yet many school districts still lack a formal plan to manage it. A comprehensive, written IAQ management plan not only outlines a school district’s IAQ-related procedures; it also ensures consistency across staff transitions, supports regulatory compliance, and clearly defines staff roles and responsibilities. In this webinar, facilities leaders from Orange County Public Schools (FL) and Boston Public Schools (MA) will share how they developed and implemented robust IAQ plans that strengthened operations and improved communication. Additionally, Minnesota Department of Health staff will share insights and lessons from developing training resources and planning templates for school district staff to develop an IAQ plan where required by state legislation. Attendees will gain practical tools and strategies to standardize IAQ practices, engage district staff, and effectively communicate efforts to stakeholders. Whether starting from scratch or refining an existing plan, this session will equip school districts to create an effective IAQ strategy that not only promotes healthier learning environments but also improves energy efficiency and reduces operational costs.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify the essential components of a comprehensive, written IAQ management plan for school districts, including strategies to align with energy efficiency and sustainability goals.
• Analyze key takeaways from the planning, development, and implementation processes of successful IAQ programs in leading school districts.
• Articulate the benefits of formalizing IAQ procedures for improved student and staff health, operational efficiency, cost savings, and increased community trust.
• Utilize replicable templates, trainings, and engagement strategies to involve district personnel and stakeholders in creating and maintaining IAQ plans.

Speaker:
Hannah Carter, Project Manager, School District Environmental Health, U.S. Green Building Council

Hannah is the Project Manager for School District Environmental Health within the Center for Green Schools at USGBC where she supports school district staff working to improve air quality and create healthy schools across the country. Prior to joining the Center for Green Schools, Hannah was the Sustainability Coordinator at Parkway School District in St. Louis, Missouri where she led the district’s comprehensive energy management program, renewable energy systems, district-wide recycling and composting, and water conservation efforts. She also oversaw a successful student and staff engagement program as well as the integration of sustainability standards and resources into all elementary curriculum. During her time at Parkway, the district was awarded the Green Ribbon School District award (2020), Energy Star Partner of the Year award (2020 & 2021), and was a 2020 DOE Better Buildings Challenge Goal Achiever for achieving 25% energy reduction within 5 years. Hannah is also active locally as the committee chair of the Missouri Green Schools program working to support and recognize Missouri schools integrating sustainable operations strategies, improving health, and providing environmental education.