Background:

July 2008, Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt signed into law
legislation that requires the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education (DESE) to develop guidelines for green cleaning in schools.
By law, DESE must complete the guidelines and specifications by February 24, 2009.

Per DESE (Tom Quinn): “The state legislature passed SB 1181 during this year’s legislative session. My reason for sending this correspondence to you is to fulfill the following requirements as stated in the law”

161.365. 1. The department of elementary and secondary education shall, in consultation with the department of health and senior services, and a panel of interested stakeholders, including cleaning product industry representatives, nongovernmental organizations, and others, establish and amend on an annual basis guidelines and specifications for green cleaning programs, including environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products, paper product purchases, and equipment purchases for cleaning programs.

The full text of the law can be found on page 22 at: http://www.senate.mo.gov/08info/pdf-bill/tat/SB1181.pdf

October 13, 2008 Invitation sent out regarding meeting set for November 10, 2008 “Illinois recently passed a “Green Cleaning Schools Act”. I would hope that the committee could agree to use this as our template. The complete text of this law can be found at: http://www.standingupforillinois.org/uploads/GreenCleanFinalGuidelines.pdf

October 15, 2008, Vague memo from DESE regarding pre-meeting with industry representatives, Andy Hackman and Bill Balek “since you (Bill Balek) and Andy Hackman have been involved in this venture before I would invite the two of you to come in at 9:00 a.m. on this date to review the process” (before the 10:00 committee meeting on November 10, 2008). “If anyone else would like to be here at 9:00 a.m. you are welcome to join us. The official meeting will still begin at 10:00.”

November 10, 2008 Tom Quinn, DESE assistant commissioner-division of career education,
assembled with a panel of interested stakeholders to develop green cleaning guidelines with hopes to compete job by the end of the meeting.

November 10, 2008 Subcommittee Formed - Bill Balek representing ISSA named Chairperson of sub-committee per Tom Quinn

November 13, 2008 ISSA Member Alert Alert: “ISSA Leads Missouri Committee on Green Cleaning”

November 13, 2008 Green Cleaning Member Concern Letter emailed to DESE and Committee Members. Concern regarding subcommittee make-up

November 14, 2008 Press Release from Missouri Kids Health Coalition with concerns regarding conflicts of interest of certain subcommittee members, over-representation of industry and under-representation of children's health, disability & indoor environment without financial interest.

On or about November 14, 2008 Missouri Attorney General’s (AG) office contacted regarding concerns – AG’s office concerned that this committee had possibly violated sunshine laws. AG’s office still has not been clear whether there was a violation or not but made it clear that if there was a violation their action would be to encourage proper visability and sunshine law violation corrections and that they represent DESE. Consequently changes were initiated such as the sub-committee was disbanded, a more ernest attempt to take the next meeting minutes and the December 17, meeting was posted on Missouri's website and DESE's attorney was scheduled to attend the next meeting.

November 14, 2008 Response Letter to Concerned Member from Tom Kerns of DESE

November 21, 2008 Memo scheduling meeting for December 17, 2008 Stating Tom Quinn to Chair and no sub-committee, draft to be sent to committee members December 10, 2008 per memo

December 10, 2008, Letter from DESE with draft proposal, list of Dec. 17, meeting attendees and revised meeting minutes from November 10, 2008 meeting.

December 17, 2008 Meeting of the Green Cleaning Committee

January 16, 2009 Missouri Green Cleaning Guidelines Approved by the Missouri Department of Education

Green Cleaning Guidelines available now on DESE's website.

Legislation stated Guidelines and Specifications must be completed by February 24, 2009 Copies to be sent out to all Missouri Elementary and Secondary Schools

Missouri Kids Health Coalition along with some members of the committee had concerns and recommendations for the committee through this process. Review some of the issues and problems involved with this effort for future improvement.

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