District Operations

Updated 9/23/2022

In the summer 2022, Wadena-Deer Creek Public Schools inspected their school buildings for the presence of asbestos. The inspections are mandatory in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, “Asbestos Hazardous Emergency Response Act” (AHERA CFR Part 763), for all schools instructing grades K-12.

The Designated Person (DP) has the responsibility to authorize work being conducted in the school buildings. Lakes Country Service Cooperative (LCSC) has supplied the district with copies of a “Short-Term Worker Notification” forms that contractors are to sign, indicating that they have the necessary information pertaining to asbestos in the buildings. The DP is required to inform all contractors of the identity of known or suspected asbestos materials, the locations of these asbestos materials, and the location of the Asbestos Management Plan for that building. Contractors should also be instructed not to disturb any known or suspected asbestos materials.

LCSC conducted WDC School District’s most recent three-year asbestos re-inspections of district buildings on June 17, 2022. The next inspection will be due again on that date in 2025. Copies of the re-inspections have been filed in the Health & Safety compliance manuals. The district should ensure that a copy is also filed in the Asbestos Management Plan binder in each affected building.

LCSC also conducts periodic surveillance of asbestos-containing materials on a semi-annual basis.

Asbestos Awareness training is provided to district custodial and maintenance personnel during their annual safety seminar. LCSC conducts the annual training. LCSC reminds the district that new staff members must be provided with initial two-hour Asbestos Awareness training that includes basic information about asbestos, a review of the district’s Management Plan, and a building walk through identifying areas of Asbestos Containing Building Materials (ACBM); many elements of the initial training can be provided by the DP.

LCSC conducted the first Asbestos Periodic Surveillance for the 2020-21 academic year. All ACBM was found in good condition.

A copy of the Management Plan is available for review in the WDC District Office. It has a list of all locations and types of asbestos-containing materials found in each building and a description and time table for their proper management. Additional copies are available at $.25 per page. Questions related to the plan should be directed to Lee Westrum, Superintendent.

Annual notification will be provided on the school website at www.wdc2155.k12.mn.us under the District menu, then clicking on the Public Notices link, stating that any lead testing results will be available for viewing upon request from the program contact person. This notification will be provided continually on our website.

The WDC Schools, in accordance with a Minnesota Law that went into effect in 2000, is required to inform parents, guardians and staff, if and when, the school applies pesticides on school property. This law requires schools that apply pesticides to maintain an estimated schedule of pesticide applications and to make the schedule available to staff for review and/or copying at each school office.

Tentative schedule: Insects and rodents: Quarterly inspection and application, if needed. Inspections/applications scheduled in September, December, March and June. Vegetation: Bi-annual, application of herbicide if needed. Inspections every spring and fall. Applications mid-April through September. If you would like further information contact Aaron Jackson, Buildings/Grounds Supervisor.

Wadena-Deer Creek Schools provides a full continuum of special education and related services to eligible resident children and youth from birth through age 21 who are enrolled in district and non-public schools.

Each learner’s unique special education needs and educational goals are determined by the learner’s Individual Education Planning (IEP) team. Eligibility procedures include screening and individualized evaluations. Services are provided in the least restrictive learning environment appropriate for the individual learner. Parents have the right to review their child’s school records, to attend their child’s staffing, and are encouraged to make program recommendations for their child’s special education needs.

For more information contact Freshwater Special Education Services at 218-631-2281 or www.fed.k12.mn.us.