IAQ in Schools Webinars
Upcoming Webinars - Register Now
State Guide to Clean Indoor Air
Dec. 9, 11am Pacific/2pm Eastern
The Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health, together with 20 contributing organizations across public health, building science, healthy housing, law, and policy, today released Clean Indoor Air: A Guide for State Leaders to Improve Indoor Air Quality. The guide provides an evidence-based roadmap for state and local leaders to strengthen indoor air quality policy, protect public health, and reduce disease transmission. Accompanying the guide are three action plans: one for governors, one for state health departments, and one for schools.
Panelists:
- Dr. Georgia Lagoudas, Senior Fellow, at the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health.
Previous Webinars - View the Recordings
Practical IAQ Management Strategies for Tribal Schools
This webinar will provide tribal school leaders, facility managers, educators, and other community stakeholders with practical strategies for improving indoor air quality (IAQ) to create healthier learning environments for all students and staff. Participants will learn IAQ basics - what it is, why it matters, and how it impacts student and staff health, attendance, and performance - while exploring unique challenges faced by tribal schools, such as aging infrastructure, rural or remote locations, and limited resources for facility upgrades and maintenance. The webinar will highlight available resources, tools, and technical assistance designed to support tribal communities in addressing IAQ concerns. Through real-world case examples, the webinar will showcase successful approaches tribal schools have taken to improve school IAQ management and highlight benefits to students and the community.
Session Objectives:
- Understand Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) basics and its effects on health and learning.
- Recognize key IAQ challenges facing Tribal schools and potential ways to overcome them.
- Learn from Tribal school case examples and apply lessons learned.
- Identify tools and resources that are available to support school IAQ management efforts
Panelists:
- Matt Hiester, Environmental Protection Specialist at the US Environmental Protection Agency
- James Parsons, PMP, Environmental Specialist, Environmental Protection Service, Air Quality Division, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
IAQ to Prevent Respiratory Infections
School districts confront unprecedented uncertainty, risk, and challenges as the U.S. enters the fall-winter respiratory illness season. HVAC, air cleaning, and disinfection system performance consistent with CDC, ASHRAE and public health guidelines is critical to preventing infectious spread, limiting illness-related absences, and ensuring healthy environments. This webinar will feature leading experts and practitioners to share practical strategies and approaches for leveraging indoor air quality as a key component of infection prevention in school facilities.
Panelists:
- Erik Malmstrom, CEO, SafeTraces
- Bonnie Maldonado, Prof of Pediatric Infectious Disease & Epidemiology at Stanford Med School (and formerly of the CDC Vax Advisory Group ACIP)
- Lori Arzaga, Director, Environmental Services, Clark County School District
New NSBA Magna Awards
The National School Boards Association’s prestigious Magna Awards have been re-tooled to emphasize Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management. School Districts can earn points for a variety of actions ranging from developing an IAQ Management Plan to attending webinars and training. Applications are due Oct. 31, 2025, so don’t miss this webinar to learn how your school district can qualify for a 2026 Magna Award.
American Lung Association
The American Lung Association has recently completed a report on state-by-state regulations pertaining to indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools. Tune in to hear the authors of the report discuss their findings.
Panelists:
- Thomas Carr, Director of National Policy
- Rebecca Padilla, Sr. Manager
Boston Public Schools
Boston Public Schools have been recognized internationally for their work to monitor and manage IAQ, but pioneers who blaze new trails cover rough terrain. Tune in as we talk with Katherine Walsh, Asst. Director of Planning, Engineering, Sustainability, and Environment for Boston Public Schools, about the lessons she and her team learned as they created their IAQ monitoring system and pro tips she has for other school districts who want to replicate Boston’s success. Katherine will be joined by Dr. Patricia Fabian of Boston University who will discuss how to expand the utility of classroom IAQ data to evaluate building interventions, and inform climate resilience and pandemic preparedness using data science and public health research tools. Don’t miss this premiere case study of success in IAQ improvement in schools!
Panelists:
- Katherine Walsh
- M. Patricia Fabian, MS, ScD
The Impact of Outdoor Air Quality
L.A. Unified has partnered with the University of Southern CA on a project to monitor outdoor air quality in order to make data-driven decisions about how to protect indoor air quality from external pollutants.
Panelists:
- Christos Chrysiliou, FAIA, CCM, LEED AP, Chief Eco-Sustainability Officer at Los Angeles Unified School District
- William Berelson, Ph.D., Professor of Earth Sciences at USC
- Carlos Torres, Director, Environmental Health & Safety at Los Angeles Unified School District
Building Resilient, Sustainable Schools
Explore practical examples of integrating data monitoring with actionable measures, such as optimizing HVAC systems to maintain air quality during wildfire smoke events or managing energy loads to prevent grid overloads. The session will also discuss how schools can implement effective communication protocols, staff training, and policy changes that align technology with on-the-ground actions.
Panelists:
- Dr. Serene Almomen, CEO & Co-Founder, Attune
- Curtis Leonard, Energy and Sustainability Specialist, St. Vrain Valley School District, CO
- Richard Benjamin, Program Manager-Sustainability, Energy, and Recycling, Montgomery County Public Schools, MD
How to Earn the 2026 NSBA Magna Award
The National School Boards Association 2026 Magna Awards program focuses on improving Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To be eligible for the awards, school districts must enact a NEW IAQ Management Plan and document reductions in GHG emissions. Throughout the year, school districts will be able to earn points toward the awards by attending in-person and online training. This webinar will explain the application process and answer any questions you may have about the 2026 NSBA Magna Awards.