The local school district has announced that a team specializing in asbestos removal will be present at the gymnasium on Wednesday following the discovery of the hazardous material last week. The gym was shut down last Wednesday when staff noted insulation that prompted further investigation. Subsequent laboratory analysis identified the insulation as containing asbestos.

According to Superintendent David Ryan, the anticipated cost for the removal and sealing of the affected area is around $12,000. The insulation was initially concealed within the walls behind the former stage at one end of the gym. When the stage was dismantled in the early 2000s, the holes used for its installation were merely covered with mats but not properly sealed. Over time, this allowed small quantities of insulation to escape into the gym space.

The discovery prompted an immediate response from the district, leading to the suspension of classes and all scheduled events in the gym. While materials such as asbestos were widely used in older constructions and were targeted for bans by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency starting in the late 1980s, they do not pose health risks when undisturbed. However, when the material is disrupted, it can lead to inhalation hazards, potentially causing lung irritation and increased cancer risk with long-term exposure, as noted by health experts.

Before the gym can resume normal operations, it will remain closed until a third-party laboratory conducts tests to ensure that no airborne asbestos fibers are present following the cleanup. District officials expect these assessments will be completed later this week.