Huppenthal: I worked to solve Corona's problems

I am proud to have played an active part in resolving the air quality issues at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe. Our community can be proud of the successful bipartisan effort made to address the situation there and ensure a healthy environment for all students. Unfortunately, the bipartisan success in helping Corona del Sol has been turned into fodder for dishonest political mudslinging.

Rep. John McComish, R-Ahwatukee Foothills, and I were members of the legislative leadership team that successfully placed the Corona resolution in every version of the budget. Because I knew that every budget version would help Corona, I felt comfortable in voting against various versions of the budget that I felt were not in the state's best interest. At the end of the process, a state budget was passed that included funding for Corona.

Now that the political season is under way, votes on various budget versions are being "cited" as showing a lack of support for Corona. These claims are political smears - and they're a real disservice to everyone who worked so hard to help Corona.

I worked closely with parents and administrators to resolve Corona's air quality issues. I met with officials with the Tempe Union High School District, their superb maintenance director Bob Anderson, their architect and their lawyers. Over seven meetings, we studied the issues and discussed the teamwork required to solve the air quality problems. I developed three legislative strategies to assure a successful resolution of the problem.

To get my arms around the health, science and engineering aspects of the problem, I reviewed the research done by Health Effects Group. I performed a literature search in the leading medical journals to understand health aspects of mold spore and carbon dioxide levels. I reviewed literature on the Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web sites. I walked the Corona campus to understand cost implications of repairs to the physical facility. I simultaneously explored our financial options, from bonding to a school facilities board grant.

In May 2008, Reps. McComish; Rob Robson, R-Chandler; and I sent a letter to the governor requesting that she direct the state Department of Health Services to review the situation. The governor responded by directing Health Services experts to analyze Corona's air quality. McComish and I then organized a parent meeting at Corona del Sol to present both the health study and the options developed by the bond committee.

Further responding to Corona parents, McComish and I met with the speaker of the House. Together we drafted a letter to the governor requesting that she direct Health Services to hire an independent consultant to measure carbon-dioxide levels and mold-spore levels at the school; and further, that this consultant ensure that construction at the school reduce mold-spore and carbon-dioxide levels to safe, comfortable standards. The governor responded by directing the department to hire an independent consultant to perform these measurements. My actions on behalf of Corona all year show clearly that I was supportive of solving Corona's air quality problems.

A number of political games have been played along the way to deceive voters in my district about my support for Corona. The facts are that I have taken the concerns of parents, teachers and administrators very seriously and given my full attention to resolving them. The mudslinging on this issue is just that - mudslinging.

The most important step for helping Corona is this November. We must all support the bond election. I urge your support so that we can provide acceptable air quality to Corona's students. The finish line is in sight. Please help Corona continue to do the great work educating our kids that they are known for doing.

Sen. John Huppenthal of Chandler represents District 20, which includes southern Tempe, Ahwatukee Foothills and western Chandler.