Buildings & Grounds

Big Lake Schools has historically conducted, and continues to conduct, Lead in Drinking Water testing per the Minnesota Department of Health and Education “Reducing Lead in Drinking Water: A Technical Guidance and Model Plan for Minnesota’s Public Schools” recommendations.

MN Statute 121A.335 requires public school buildings serving kindergarten through grade 12 to test for lead in potable water sources every five years, and to make results of these tests available. 

Additional Resources:

• Lead in Water Management Plan and Results

Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil, rocks, underground water supplies, and in the ambient air.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other scientific organizations, naturally-occurring radon gas has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer. The chance of developing lung cancer from radon exposure is dependent on several factors, including individual susceptibility and, perhaps more importantly, the dose and duration of exposure. The EPA and other major national and international scientific organizations have concluded that radon is a human carcinogen and a serious environmental health problem. 

Radon gas typically moves up through the ground into the air in buildings through subsurface wall and/or floor cracks, floor drains, and
 construction joints and pipes. The water supply may also be a source of radon exposure.

The EPA and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) advise schools to test for radon after any renovation to the building or HVAC system, or periodically, such as every 5 years and to reduce levels to below 4 picoCuries per Liter (pCi/L).

Additional Resources:

• Radon Management Plan and Testing Results

Big Lake Schools uses licensed professional pest control services for the prevention and control of rodents, insects, weeds, and other pests in and around our buildings. Our combined integrated pest management program consists of:

• Inspection and monitoring of facilities to determine if pests are present and if any treatment is needed;
• Recommendations for maintenance and sanitation practices to eliminate pests without the need for pest control materials;
• Use of non-chemical measures such as traps, caulking, and screening; and
•  Application of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered pest control materials when needed.

As pests sting, bite, cause contamination, damage property, and spread disease, we must prevent and control them. The long-term health effects on children from the application of such pest control materials or the class of materials to which they belong may not be fully understood. All pest control materials are chosen and applied according to label directions per federal law.

Inspection/Treatment Schedule and Notifications

An estimated schedule of pest control inspections and possible treatments is available here.

Parents or guardians may request prior notification of any application of a pest control material, should such an application be deemed necessary on a day different from the days specified in the schedule. If you wish to be placed on the advance notice list, please complete the IPM Notification Request form. This form must be completed each school-year if you wish to continue to receive advanced notifications.

For questions or concerns regarding IPM, please call 763-262-5148 or email t.zerwas@biglakeschools.org.