School halts project because of asbestos concerns

School halts project because of asbestos concerns
School halts project because of asbestos concerns

Monday, May 24th, 2010

Prompted by complaints from parents, an asbestos removal project at a New Jersey school will be delayed until the children go home for the summer.
Parents Not Notified of Asbestos Removal

The asbestos abatement began on the weekend of May 15 as part of a capital project at Anna C. Scott Elementary School in Leonia, New Jersey, according to NorthJersey.com. There was an outcry from parents once they realized the asbestos removal had taken place without their prior knowledge.

Bernard Josefsberg, the superintendent, received dozens of e-mails from parents claiming that he attempted to “cover up” possible safety risks. Josefsberg admitted he should have informed parents about the asbestos abatement but insisted that the project presented no risks to the children, a fact that appears to be confirmed by a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection inspection that found the work complied with environmental regulations and statutes.

Still, the school will hold two meetings this week to inform parents about the project and the new construction schedule.

“The purpose of the meetings are to answer questions and let parents know I’m planning on postponing the work until the school year ends,” Josefsberg told the news source.

Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma and asbestosis.
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School halts project because of asbestos concerns