Safety inspections, other preps underway at JCPS before the new school year
Jefferson City Public Schools is wrapping up its summer building inspections and other preps before students come back to school in less than three weeks.
Each summer, multiple inspections are done in all JCPS buildings with local fire department officials.
“They’re looking at things like does the fire alarm work and … checking out the fire extinguishers, making sure that we’ve got those recharged and that they’re OK for the next year and that our emergency lighting works,” said John Moon, JCPS maintenance supervisor.
Fire officials also look at fire sprinkler systems, and other inspections in the summer look at any elevators, boilers and gas equipment and back flow devices. There are also checks for asbestos.
Moon said although no major issues were found during this summer’s inspections, it is an important yearly process.
“There are a few things, you know, that going through the process helps kind of flush out or draw your attention to,” Moon said.
This week, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services sent a letter to superintendents reminding schools to flush out taps and drinking water fountains that have not been used for an extended period of time. That’s to reduce any potential lead exposure in drinking water.
Moon said that is another safety precaution the district already takes each year.
“The day or two before school starts that we like to flush out the drinking fountains and the kitchen sinks and stuff like that just to kind of make sure that any lead that may be in that system is flushed out completely before kids come back to school,” Moon said.
ABC 17 News reported that Columbia Public Schools tested its water last summer and found some samples with elevated lead or copper levels.
ABC 17 News called the CPS spokesperson Friday afternoon about its summer preparations, but has not heard back yet.
JCPS will also be having a committee meeting to review its emergency response plan and safety and security assessment before school starts. That meeting is set for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Board of Education Building.
