Third Party Health and Safety Assessment - Citadel EHS
Air Quality Monitoring
Submitted Questions
Following the public event held October 21, the district received additional questions from the community that were not addressed during the program. We have compiled these questions and their responses into the PDF provided below.
From your email: Nov. 7, 2025
Over the past several months, there has been significant public discussion regarding the Silfab Solar facility. In an effort to provide transparent communication, factual information, and clarity regarding the District’s role and responsibilities, this memorandum outlines our approach to ensuring student and staff safety, details our partnership with Citadel EHS, and encourages community engagement with the appropriate governing authorities.
In response to community concerns regarding the proximity of the Silfab Solar facility to Flint Hill Elementary and Middle Schools, and following recommendations from the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units, the Fort Mill School District has engaged Citadel EHS, a trusted environmental health and safety firm, to conduct a comprehensive, independent assessment of the schools' environmental health and safety conditions.
To ensure transparency and keep our students, staff, and community informed, this webpage will provide ongoing updates as the assessment progresses.
Project Timeline and Key Activities
On May 12, the district contracted Citadel EHS to begin the independent, in-depth assessment. The scope of this project includes a thorough evaluation of various health and safety factors at the school sites.
Contract Agreement
To view the contract, which outlines the full scope of the project and associated costs please click the link below.
The Project Authorization Order was updated on June 5 to correct typographical errors. The scope of work and cost associated remain unchanged.
Initial Public Presentation
At the Fort Mill School District’s Board Meeting on June 3, Mrs. Julie Wojnowski from Citadel EHS presented an overview of the company’s expertise and the scope of the assessment. The key areas of the assessment include:
- External Emissions Risk - Review of air permits, emissions modeling, chemical inventory, and emergency response protocols.
- Internal Systems Assessment - Evaluation of district HVAC systems, filtration specifications, and maintenance practices against industry best practices.
- Action Plan Development - Identification of target contaminants, sampling locations, and quality control procedures.
- Pursuing WELL Health-Safety Rating - Gap analysis and support for certification in alignment with recognized school health standards.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Education - Facilitation of briefings, staff meetings, and community sessions to ensure transparent communication.
- Implementation of Action Plan - Execution of the plan, implementation of recommended improvements, and documentation of compliance measures.
The full presentation is available on the district’s YouTube page or by clicking the link below.
Citadel EHS Environmental Health and Safety Presentation
The district will continue to provide updates on this page as the assessment progresses and more information becomes available.
Project Update - July 17
In our ongoing commitment to student and staff well-being, the district is partnering with Citadel EHS, a leading environmental health and safety firm, to conduct comprehensive air quality monitoring at the Flint Hill School site.
The district has approved the first phase of this project. In the coming weeks, Citadel will begin quarterly air quality testing to establish a health and safety baseline for the school. This initial testing will occur before and after the school opens, and all data will be measured against rigorous standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
In addition to quarterly testing, Citadel is also developing a plan for continuous, onsite air quality monitoring and in the process of completing the comprehensive Safety and Risk Assessment for the school sites. These measures will work together to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for the entire Flint Hill community.
Project Update - August 6
At the August 6 school board meeting, consultants from Citadel EHS presented their official recommendations to enhance district-wide health, safety, and emergency planning.
The presentation focused on key areas, including:
- Emergency Protocol Coordination
- Indoor Environmental Quality and Operations
- Community Engagement and Continuity Planning
See the full presentation delivered to the board on the district's YouTube page.
Links to the presentation slides and the planning documents referenced at the meeting are provided below.
Aug. 5 School Board Meeting - Presentation from Citadel
Emergency Planning Recommendations
Project Update - September 8
The Fort Mill School District (FMSD), in partnership with Citadel EHS, York County Emergency Management, and Silfab Solar, continue to advance planning and monitoring efforts that support the safe operation of Flint Hill Elementary School. Below are recent updates:
Air Quality Monitoring Updates
Pre-Occupancy Air Quality Monitoring (Completed)
During the week of July 28, 2025, air quality testing was conducted inside and outside of Flint Hill Elementary. Indoor and outdoor air samples were taken over the course of a 24-hour period to evaluate for the following chemicals of potential concern (COPCs):
- Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
- Hydrogen Fluoride (HF)
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Ammonia (NH3)
- Formaldehyde (CH2O)
- Silane
- Particulate Matter (PM)
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Post-Occupancy Air Quality Monitoring (Upcoming)
The next round of indoor and outdoor air quality testing at Flint Hill Elementary is scheduled for Thursday, September 11, 2025, and Friday, September 12, 2025. Indoor and outdoor air samples will again be taken over the course of a 24-hour period to evaluate for the following chemicals of potential concern (COPCs):
- Hydrochloric Acid (HCl)
- Hydrogen Fluoride (HF)
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Ammonia (NH3)
- Formaldehyde (CH2O)
- Silane
- Particulate Matter (PM)
- Carbon Monoxide (CO)
These results will establish baseline air quality conditions during normal school operations, and they will then be used to compare to future indoor and outdoor air quality testing results.
Community & School Engagement Updates
Staff Engagement – Flint Hill Elementary School opened on August 4, 2025. During the first week, Citadel facilitated a session with teachers and staff to review the air quality monitoring program, emergency preparedness plans, and ongoing safety support.
Community Updates – At the August 5 School Board Meeting, Citadel EHS presented official recommendations to strengthen FMSD health, safety, and emergency planning. The presentation focused on three key areas:
- Emergency Protocol Coordination
- Indoor Environmental Quality and Operations
- Community Engagement and Continuity Planning
A recording of the meeting is available here.
Silfab Solar Coordination – Regular meetings are being held with Silfab Solar leadership to align emergency response protocols and procedures, and to finalize terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). As outlined in the Flint Hill Elementary and Middle Schools Health, Safety, and Emergency Planning Recommendations available here, the MOU will establish how continuous outdoor perimeter air monitoring data is used in practice, including clear protocols for investigative, corrective, or emergent actions should readings exceed thresholds.
Emergency Planning Coordination – Citadel also met with the York County Manager’s Office and Emergency Management Director Chuck Haynes to begin work on shared emergency scenarios such as gas leaks, fires, or chemical releases. This effort aims to align emergency response plans, scheduling of joint drills, updating the FMSD's Emergency Operations Plan, and drafting the MOU among FMSD, Silfab Solar, and York County OEM to formalize roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols.
Public Comment and Discussion Session – Planning is underway for FMSD and Citadel EHS to host a session where members of the Fort Mill community can hear from and engage in a 2-way dialogue with FMSD leadership and board members.
A date and location will be announced once confirmed.
WELL Health-Safety Rating – Citadel is conducting a comprehensive review of FMSD and Flint Hill Elementary School policies and procedures related to emergency protocols, cleaning practices, approved cleaning products, ventilation, water quality, mold and moisture management, and mental health and recovery programs. These efforts are being evaluated against the WELL Health-Safety Rating criteria. Documentation is being prepared for submission to the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), who will conduct up to two rounds of an independent third-party review of FMSD policies and procedures and Citadel EHS prepared documentation before awarding the Rating.
Responding to Community Inquiries – The FMSD, in coordination with Citadel, continues to respond directly to questions from parents and community members when appropriate. Inquiries are answered with reference to monitoring results, safety planning documents, and established protocols, ensuring accurate information is shared and speculation is minimized.
The FMSD remains committed to transparency, proactive planning, and ongoing engagement with families, staff, and community partners as Flint Hill schools continue to prepare for safe operations.
Community Meeting - October 21
On Tuesday, October 21, the district held a community meeting regarding the work being performed by Citadel EHS. The meeting began with a presentation from Citadel EHS, followed by a question-and-answer period with a panel that included Citadel representatives, school board members, and district administration.
The complete recording of the meeting and a copy of the presentation are available below.
The district welcomes additional questions via email at communications@fortmillschools.org. Questions will be answered directly, and both the question and its response will be posted to this page for public review.