ASBESTOS PROBLEMS

A presentation lasting a full hour updated the School Board on the asbestos situation, Turner said.

“Some areas were abated before but weren’t properly done,” he said.

As well, standards have changed.

“They’re much more adept at identifying asbestos than they were perhaps 20 years ago.”

Asbestos residue was found in every district building, Turner said.

“A lot is in crawl spaces,” he said, describing pipes once wrapped in asbestos that are not easily accessible.

The asbestos report, said Turner, “makes it very clear that the $3 million will not make the district asbestos-free.”

But it will take care of the toxic substance in areas due for work during the facilities upgrade, he said.

While the abatement work will be part of the overall facilities project, the district will apply for that state approval separately from the rest of it, said Turner. It’s thought more state aid would accompany the cleanup that way.

TIMETABLE

The aim has been to begin construction of the overall building project in April 2008, with completion in September 2009, but that is dependent upon meeting various deadlines along the way. Among them is state approval for the plans.

“If we get the hard decisions made on Sept. 11,” Turner said, “we’re optimistic we can submit on schedule in November.”