May 11th, 2007

Asbestos abatement at a Washington school may have to be rescheduled following concerns expressed by parents of students at the school. Plans had been made to remove asbestos from the Stewart Elementary school before the end of the school year, but following opinions voice by a group of parents school officials will now have to look at changing this.

Another option that was offered to concerned parents was to remove their children from school in the last week before school ends without any penalties. The Washington School Superintendent stated: "You can be well assured the school board and the superintendent take these concerns very seriously."

Asbestos present in glue and tiling in the kitchen, classroom and storage areas of the school needs to be removed as part of the renovation of the building, and this may now take place over the summer period. Barriers and precautions will be used to ensure that asbestos debris does not enter the air supply of the school.

However, one official stated: "I don't know how in good conscience you can say nothing will happen. Don't risk, don't gamble with the kids in school, especially when there are only two weeks left."