Margo Bellamy

"There has been a huge increase in allergies over the last five years," said Margo Bellamy, ASD's equal employment opportunity director."There are one or more people in every school who are allergic."

It's impossible to go entirely latex free, Bellamy said.Latex is used in carpet, upholstery, tape, bandages and clothing; but the district can reduce the amount of exposure by not using latex products like gloves, erasers or balloons in facilities.

Bellamy said 77 percent of schools were already latex reduced before this new policy began with the start of this school year.

Allergic reactions to latex can be caused by either inhaling latex particles or latex touching the skin.Some people are allergic to the actual natural rubber that latex comes from; others are allergic to something in the manufacturing process.Reactions can run the gamut — from dry, irritated or itchy skin to breathing problems and anaphylactic shock.

Vacuuming and cleaning will help reduce latex particles already in the air and the district is working to limit all types of exposure, Bellamy said.
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Bellamy said that the district-wide change in latex reduction hasn't cost money.

Margo BellamyEEO Officer, ASDP.O. Box 196614Anchorage, AK 99519ph: 907-742-4130fax: 742-4226

Margo BellamyEEO Officer, ASDP.O. Box 196614Anchorage, AK 99614ph: 907-742-4130fax: 742-4226

contact Margo Bellamy in the EEO office at 907-742-4130

Margo Bellamy
...
Margo BellamyEEO Director,

Margo Bellamy, EEO Director, who also serves as Title IX Coordinator

contact Margo Bellamy in the EEO office at 907-742-4130

Margo BellamySection 504 Coordinator (907) 742-4130 STeP Center (907) 742-3872

Now, "in order to achieve diversity, we do a lot of outreach and that's it," said Margo Bellamy, the equal employment opportunity director for the Anchorage School District.

The number of minorities in the optional programs wasn't affected last school year, she said.

"In the end, those ethnic families who would have chosen to go to an optional program still made that choice, even if race was not a preference," Bellamy said.

Margo Bellamy, Director, EEO, Anchorage School District -- (September 2004)