Asbestos

09-11-2024

Dear Parents, Legal Guardians, community members, and staff,

Asbestos has been an issue of concern for decades.  The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 (AHERA) has been enacted by Congress.  AHERA was designed to determine the extent of asbestos hazards in schools and to act as a guide in formulating asbestos management policies for schools.

Asbestos has been used as a building material for many years.  Asbestos is a naturally occuring mineral fiber that has been commercially mined in Canada, South Africa, Russia, Brazil, and many other nations, including the United States.  The properties of asbestos make it an ideal material for insulating, sound absorption, decorative plasters, fireproofing, and a variety of industrial and commercial uses.  The United States alone has seen over 3,600 different products manufactured with asbestos.  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began action to limit its uses in 1973.  Subsequently, most of the asbestos products used as building materials were banned or discontinued by 1978.

We recently had our facilities reinspected by a certified asbestos inspector as required by AHERA.  The inspector located, sampled, and determined the condition and hazard potential of all material in our buildings suspected of containing asbestos.  The reinspection and laboratory analysis records form the basis of the asbestos management plan.

A certified asbestos management planner has developed an asbestos management plan for our buildings.  This plan includes notification letters, training for our employees, a set of procedures designed to minimize the disturbance of asbestos containing materials, and plans for regular surveillance of materials.

A copy of the management plan is available for your inspection in Mr. Ben Cooper’s office which is located at the Jr-Sr high building.  Please make an appointment during office hours if you wish to review the plan.

We are complying with AHERA and related federal and state laws.  We began implementation of our plan by July 9,1989.  We intend to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that our students and employees have a healthy and safe environment in which to learn.