Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/882783
40 cta.org The school with the high rate of illness As reflected in "Is Your School Making You Sick?" in March 2015, many at Elsinore High School were concerned that a toxic environment had caused 21 certificated employees, as well as some students, to develop cancer, autoimmune issues, fibromyalgia, thyroid problems and other health issues. Members of the Lake Elsinore Teachers Association (LETA) urged administra- tors to hire a private environmental firm to investigate. A lengthy investigation finished in August 2017 and concluded that environmental toxins were not to blame for the spike in cancer and other illnesses. This determination was made after investigators surveyed staff confidentially to see if any individuals diagnosed with illnesses could be linked to a specific building or area of the campus. No correlation was found. Because affected staff members were scattered throughout the campus, investigators concluded the cancer cluster simply reflected the unfor- tunate statistic that one in three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. If the investigation had linked illnesses with specific areas of the campus, the next step would have been analyzing soil and building materials. But that was not considered necessary. After the investigation, incidents of cancer and other illnesses decreased. This might be related to the fact that many veteran teachers retired, and there's now an influx of younger employees. "Most people were relieved to know they weren't work- ing in a toxic environment, although a few people thought there was a cover-up," says LETA President Bill Cavana- ugh. "I think our district did the right thing. Nobody wants to think they could be damaging their health by walking into a classroom. Teachers have enough to worry about." " Nobody wants to think they could be damaging their health by walking into a classroom." — BILL CAVANAUGH T H E N N O W Feature L O O K I N G B A C K DON'T JUST WORK IN EDUCATION. LEAD IT. Financial aid and graduate scholarships available Submit your application today If you're an LAUSD educator in search of a career challenge beyond working in education, why not lead the transformation in education? Every year, the Graduate School of Education at California Lutheran University prepares the next generation of leaders and advocates in education to move into the upper echelon of educational leaders for the future. Earn your Master's degree in Counselor Education, Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing or other specialized programs, with support of an inspired and nurturing faculty. This is your time to lead. START THIS FALL! (805) 493-3325 clugrad@CalLutheran.edu CalLutheran.edu/CAed Learn More.