Christie Todd Whitman, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), will present Montgomery County Public Schools with the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Tools for Excellence Award for 2002. The ceremony will take place at Fallsmead Elementary School on Tuesday, October 29, at 9:30 a.m. Ms. Whitman will be joined in the presentation by Congresswoman Connie Morella.

Board of Education President Reginald M. Felton, Superintendent of Schools Jerry D. Weast, and Director of the Department of Facilities Management Richard Hawes will accept the award on behalf of Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

The award reflects MCPS’ leadership and commitment in providing healthy indoor air quality in schools using the resources of the Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools Kit provided by the EPA. The kit helps identify, resolve, and prevent air quality problems by providing assessment checklists, problem-solving strategies, and demonstration videos. MCPS then utilizes its IAQ preventative maintenance program to ensure that air-handling systems are well maintained and in good repair, and that safe cleaning products and housekeeping practices are being used.