Regional Learning Center

School Radon Results - 2026.03.26

Recently, the Pocahontas Area Community School District completed the process of testing its Elementary school, District Office/Regional Learning Center and Transportation Building for radon. We recently received good news: Our test results came back below the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) advised radon action level of 4.0 pCi/L. This means we now have peace of mind that our students, staff and community are learning in spaces that are as safe as possible from radon.

What is radon and why does it matter? Radon gas cannot be seen, smelled or tasted, and moves upward through cracks and other openings in the foundations of buildings from the soil under a building. In the United States, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers.

The State of Iowa requires radon testing at least once every 5 years for all Iowa public school attendance centers, licensed preschools and licensed child care centers.

To learn how to accurately do the initial radon testing ourselves, we saved taxpayer dollars by receiving training from the School Radon Training & Support System facilitated by Energy Association of Iowa Schools (EAIS). If we would have found elevated radon in our school, EAIS would have coached us through the process of fixing it. EAIS also helped us proactively place our school building on a multi-year rotating radon test schedule so we can continue to ensure radon safety in the future.

For most students and staff, research suggests that schools are actually the second largest contributor to radon exposure. The home is likely to be the most significant source of radon exposure. Please test your home for radon and if necessary, take action to reduce the risk of lung cancer by reducing elevated radon concentrations.

If you have questions regarding radon testing for PACSD, please feel free to contact Robert Boley, superintendent, at 712-335-4848. More information regarding residential radon testing can be found at www.epa.gov/radon.

PACSD will have No AM activities tomorrow Wednesday March 11th, 2026.

PAC Work Based Learning
Community Partners Meeting
March 3rd, 2026 5:00pm
HS/MS Gym Lobby

Learn about the new program and help create possibilities in the community for PAC youth.
Snacks will be served!!

Good morning,

We'd like to provide everyone with an update regarding an accident that happened this morning. A senior was driving his 10th grade sister to the high school. At the corner of Highway 3 and SW 3rd Street (the entrance of the HS/MS), the student turned in front of a semi. Luckily a different student had just used the crosswalk, so both drivers were not going fast. The student, his sister, and the semi driver are all ok. Thank you to Mr. Vorba for being first on the site, and to Police Chief Leu for his quick response.

🗓️ Looking Ahead: Parent-Teacher Conferences & Early Outs! 🗓️

PAC families, here’s what to plan for next week:

🔹 Tuesday, Mar. 3: Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:00–7:00 PM & 1-Hour Early Out — Dismissal at 2:19 PM
🔹 Thursday, Mar. 5: Parent-Teacher Conferences, 3:00–7:00 PM & 1-Hour Early Out — Dismissal at 2:19 PM
🔹 Friday, Mar. 6: Teacher Comp Day — NO SCHOOL (PreK–12)

Classes will resume on their normal schedule on Monday, Mar. 9.

PAC WEATHER UPDATE Pocahontas Area Community Schools will operate on a 2-HOUR DELAY today Friday, February 20th. No AM preschool or morning activities. We are currently evaluating the roads.

Radon Testing Notification:
Student learning and the safety of students, staff, and community are priorities for PACSD. The administration of PACSD is providing you with this notification that initial radon screening will be conducted during the week of January 26, 2026 in the All-Star Pre-school, Elementary Building, the District Office and the Transportation Building. The testing is not harmful in any way, and there is no need for students, parents and teachers to do anything special in preparation.
Radon testing is required at least once every five years for all Iowa public school attendance centers, licensed preschools, and licensed childcare centers. Radon is naturally occurring everywhere, but, if elevated, can cause an increased risk of lung cancer over the course of a person’s lifetime. Our district has received training and has proactively placed all our buildings on a rotating radon test schedule.
To test for radon in the air, kits that look like small envelopes will be used in our learning spaces. It is important these kits are not disturbed, and that exterior windows and doors are kept closed except for normal entry and exit. The envelopes will be left in place for five school days.
Final radon testing results will be communicated by the PACSD Radon Team to the board of education, staff, and the public on our website. In the event that elevated levels during occupied hours are found, steps will be taken to correct the issue using methods suggested by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
For most students and staff, research suggests that school and workplaces are the second largest contributors to radon exposure. The home is likely to be the most significant source of radon exposure. Therefore, parents and staff are encouraged to also test their homes for radon and to take action to reduce elevated concentrations. If you have further questions regarding radon testing in PACSD, please feel free to contact me at (712) 335-4848 or at rboley@pocahontas.k12.ia.us. Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation.
You can find a copy of this notification in the documents section of https://www.pacsd.org/documents

We have received notice from law enforcement that IT IS NOW SAFE to send remaining students home. We are allowing our students who drive to head out in a few minutes and then will be sending students on buses. PARENTS - PLEASE PLAN TO MEET YOUR BUS ROUTE STUDENTS AT THE BUS STOP IN THE NEAREST TOWN.
We will have a 2 hour late start tomorrow, Friday, December 19, 2025 for all Pocahontas Area Schools.

Update: At this time, the roads out of Pocahontas have been closed again due to being unsafe. In our continued work with law enforcement, they advise that everyone stay put where they are at the current time. We will hold your students here at school until further notice. Parents, please take note, the weather conditions are not safe for travel.

PAC Parents: Please come and pick up your child/children from school if you live in the City Limits of Pocahontas. Thank you!! We are feeding students supper here at school and are still holding in place for the time being. You can be assured your students are supervised, safe, and secure here at school!!

12/18/2025 - 4:39PM
CHANGE IN PLANS!! Our advice from law enforcement is to hold our students and not to run our buses. If parents would like to pick up their children they may do so at their own risk. Law enforcement does not feel comfortable with us sending our buses out at this time. We apologize for the sudden change and appreciate your patience with our efforts to keep students safe.

PAC will be dismissing students at approximately 4:45 PM. Bus routes will run as usual. Our goal is to get students home safely and we appreciate your patience with our drivers. We are so thankful to all of our partners during this weather challenge, we are truly PAC Strong!!

Hello PAC families, we wanted to give you an update on the situation with your students. We are staying at school until it is safe to dismiss. We don’t know how long that will be but we are keeping students safe in the buildings. If you want your student to leave sooner than that, you are free to come get them at your own risk. We are also not allowing HS or MS students to leave in their own vehicles at this time. We do not have a timeline on when things will change, but we will do our best to keep you updated and informed. Our students' safety is our top priority.

All roads in and out of Pocahontas are currently closed. We will hold all PAC students in place until further notice.