An Important Message for Abingdon Elementary School Families: Abingdon Elementary School will be OPEN Tuesday, August 20, 2024.
Good afternoon, AES Staff and Families,
As we shared with you last week, 3rd party air quality testing was performed on samples from Abingdon Elementary School on Friday, August 16 due to a disturbance of asbestos by an outside contractor during a demolition/construction project in the gymnasium. The gymnasium has been sealed off and without HVAC during the construction period. No students or staff have been in the construction area during the project.
In addition to taking air samples outside the gym, we also tested dust residue found on surfaces in the adjoining hallway and the cafeteria to ensure we were covering all bases.
Over the weekend, we had a certified asbestos removal company clean and run negative air machines in the building to ensure our students and staff can return to a safe learning and work environment. Third party air quality has been performed again after the cleaning, and we have now received the official greenlight to allow students and staff to return to school.
In following the safest possible protocol, the remaining impacted areas of Abingdon Elementary School are sealed off, with continuous air monitoring taking place on the outside of those sealed areas to confirm air is not contaminated during the remainder of the project. In following OSHA protocol, signage will be placed alerting students and staff to avoid these areas. The signage is meant to alert you to the impacted area to prevent accidental entry, but please know that areas not marked with signage are safe for occupancy.
Because the cafeteria and gym areas remain sealed off and closed, food will be transported in for students. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, with students eating in their classrooms while the project and air testing continue in the gym and cafeteria area.
Over the next 3 weeks, we will be working diligently and carefully to get the gym and cafeteria areas tested, unsealed, and reopened.
As mentioned before, WCPS will be taking additional steps to prevent an incident like this one from happening again. This includes a thorough review of our construction and maintenance protocols with outside contractors, increased oversight during projects involving potentially hazardous materials, and a professional review of our existing Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) Management Plans.
As always, your child’s safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we continue to work to resolve this issue. We will provide more information as it becomes available. If you have specific questions, you may email me directly at [email protected]
Thank you,
Keith Perrigan, Ed.D.
Superintendent
Washington County Public Schools
812 Thompson Dr.
Abingdon, VA 24210
276-739-3000
@WashCoSuper