Contractors and maintenance staff have been working through the summer to resolve mold and asbestos issues at the Alexander Henderson Elementary School in Frederiksted, St. Croix Insular Superintendent Gary Molloy said at a Thursday press conference.
Two air quality tests – one by Environmental Concepts and a second by Raycon Mechanical – provided an assessment of the work that needed to be done. The remediation included re-coating the roof to fill in gaps and cracks in the concrete where rain could enter or get trapped, providing a breeding place for mold. Molloy said that work was was 80 to 90 percent complete.
According to Molloy, the department will be responsible for the continued cleaning of the facility, particularly the air conditioning units and roofs, which is needed so mold does not re-infest the building.
The department is also working with the Department of Planning and Natural Resources and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration to handle the asbestos situation, which became an issue after the roots of a large rubber tree on the campus started to spread under the building, splitting and breaking tiles in various classrooms.
The project was supposed to be completed by Friday. However, the department recently learned that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency must give its approval before work can even begin. Molloy said every effort is being made to comply with the regulatory process and expedite approval.
Contractor Raycon Mechanical has also promised to accelerate the work once final EPA approval is granted. The department is also working with Bates Construction and Public Works on removing the tree.
“In the meantime, the maintenance division is also doing some in-house repairs of the air conditioning units and classrooms that have not been affected,” Molloy said.
Copies of the reports and assessments generated by the contractors have been made available to the public by the department for review. Meetings with senators, union officials, PTA members and other key personnel have also been contacted to keep the public apprised of the situation.
Further information is available by calling Molloy at 773-1095, extension 7055.
