IAQ in Schools Webinars

Practical IAQ Management Strategies for Tribal Schools - Part 2

This webinar provides 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 highlights 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.

Panelists:

1. Matt Hiester, Environmental Protection Specialist, Schools Branch, Indoor Environments Division, U.S. EPA
2. Bonnie White, High School Math and Science Teacher, Arlee Joint School District No. 8
3. Maxine Sloan, Fourth and Fifth Grade Writing Teacher, Thoreau Elementary School on the Diné (Navajo) Nation in the Eastern Navajo Agency

Helpful links:

• Link to slides
• Link to Certificate of Completion form

Excellence in Energy Efficiency: Bibb Co. Public Schools

Join Go Green Initiative and Bibb County Public Schools for a concise, practice-focused discussion on the past, present, and future of energy efficiency in public schools.

This webinar explores how Bibb County Public Schools launched their energy efficiency efforts, including early investments in building automation, and how those steps evolved into stronger energy management practices. Speakers will share where the district is today, highlighting current automation capabilities, key lessons learned, and their Energy Star achievements.

The session will conclude with a look ahead at Bibb County’s vision for integrating energy efficiency and indoor air quality, demonstrating how aligning these goals can support healthier, more efficient learning environments and long-term sustainability.

Panelists:

1. Antonio Simmons 
2. Jessica Morris 
3. Paul Booher

Helpful links:

• Link to slides
• Link to Certificate of Completion form

Services & Funding Associated with the GGI Clean IAQ & GHG Reduction Grant

Join us for a preview of what districts experience when selected for the Clean IAQ & GHG Reduction Grant. This webinar will outline the cohort journey–including adopting an IAQ/GHG Board Policy, completing baseline IAQ assessments, using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®, and receiving individualized technical support. Attendees will learn what funding covers, what deliverables are required, and how the program helps districts create healthier, more energy-efficient learning environments. This session is ideal for districts considering applying and seeking a clear understanding of the support and impact of participation.

Panelists:

1. Andrew Kamali, MPH, MBA - Program Manager, Go Green Initiative
2. Lauren Londoño, MESM - Program Coordinator, Go Green Initiative

Helpful links:

• Link to slides
• Link to Certificate of Completion form

State Guide for Clean Indoor Air

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, recently 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.

Panelist:

1. Georgia Lagoudas, PhD, Senior Fellow, Pandemic Center, Brown University School of Public Health

Helpful links:

• Link to slides
• Link to State Guide for Clean Indoor Air
• Link to Certificate of Completion form

Practical IAQ Management Strategies for Tribal Schools Part 1

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

Panelist:

1. James Parsons, PMP, Environmental Specialist, Environmental Protection Service, Air Quality Division, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Helpful links:

• Link to slides
• Link to Certificate of Completion form

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:

1. Erik Malmstrom, CEO, SafeTraces
2. Bonnie Maldonado, Prof of Pediatric Infectious Disease & Epidemiology at Stanford Med School (and formerly of the CDC Vax Advisory Group ACIP)
3. Lori Arzaga, Director, Environmental Services, Clark County School District

Helpful links:

• Link to slides
• Link to Certificate of Completion form

How to Earn a 2026 Magna Award for IAQ Management

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.

Helpful links:

• Link to slides
• Link to Certificate of Completion form

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:

1. Thomas Carr, Director of National Policy
2. Rebecca Padilla, Sr. Manager

Helpful links:

• Link to slides
• Link to flyer
• Link to spreadsheet with state-by-state IAQ in school legislation: IAQ in Schools State Laws Chart
• Link to Certificate of Completion form

Boston Public Schools: Leaders in IAQ Monitoring

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:

1. Katherine Walsh
2. M. Patricia Fabian, MS, ScD

Helpful links:

• Link to slides
• Link to Certificate of Completion form

The Impact of Outdoor Air Quality

The EPA identifies outdoor air pollution as a primary contributor to indoor air contaminants in schools. The types of outdoor pollutants entering school buildings depend on factors such as location, population density, and the quality of school construction. These pollutants may originate from various sources, including industrial emissions, vehicle and non-road engine emissions (including idling school buses), emissions from nearby facilities like loading docks, municipal waste and unsanitary debris, older sewer lines, building exhausts near outdoor air intakes, and underground sources such as radon, pesticides, and storage tank leaks.

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:

1. Christos Chrysiliou, FAIA, CCM, LEED AP, Chief Eco-Sustainability Officer at Los Angeles Unified School District
2. William Berelson, Ph.D., Professor of Earth Sciences at USC
3. Carlos Torres, Director, Environmental Health & Safety at Los Angeles Unified School District

Helpful links:

• Link to Christos Chrysiliou's slides
• Link to Carlos Torres' slides
• Link to Dr. Berelson's slides 
• Link to Certificate of Completion form

Building Resilient, Sustainable Schools

Climate resiliency is critical for schools facing wildfires, extreme heat, water scarcity, and energy grid stress. Learn how school districts in Maryland and Colorado are adopting innovative programs to address these concerns. Central to these efforts is the use of real-time monitoring for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Outdoor Air Quality (OAQ), temperature, water usage, and demand response energy data.

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:

1. Dr. Serene Almomen, CEO & Co-FounderAttune (fka Senseware), VA
2. Curtis Leonard, Energy and Sustainability Specialist, St. Vrain Valley School District, CO
3. Richard Benjamin, Program Manager-Sustainability, Energy, and Recycling, Montgomery County Public Schools, MD

Helpful links:

• Link to slides
• Link to Certificate of Completion form

How to Earn a 2026 Magna Award Part 1

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.

 Helpful Links:

• Link to slides
• Link to Certificate of Completion form

$50,000 Grants for IAQ Improvements in K-12 School Districts

The National School Boards Association (NSBA) has partnered with the Go Green Initiative on an EPA-funded program to improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG's) in low-income and Tribal school districts throughout all fifty states and U.S. Territories. Each year ten (10) school districts will be chosen to receive on-the-ground technical assistance and $50,000 in grant funding to enact IAQ Management plans.

To be considered, school districts must serve a student population of 50% or more who qualify for free and reduced price lunch or reside in a Tribal community.

This webinar will explain how to apply for this program, and what to expect if you are selected.

Helpful links:

• Link to slides
• Link to Certificate of Completion form