Operations

Dear Parents, Teachers, Building Occupants, and Employee Organizations:

Uncontrolled asbestos contamination in buildings can be a significant environmental and public health problem. Both the public and private sectors have been dealing with the asbestos issue for many years. In 1986, Congress enacted the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) primarily to require school districts to identify asbestos-containing materials (ACM) in their school buildings and take appropriate actions to control the release of asbestos fibers. In 1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a regulatory program which enforces the AHERA.

In compliance with the AHERA regulations, we had our school facilities inspected by an EPA accredited building inspector. During the inspection, samples were taken of building materials suspected of containing asbestos. The results of the inspection and laboratory analysis of the samples have confirmed the presence of ACM in portions of the school facilities. It is important to note that these materials are in a form and condition that does not pose an imminent health threat to students, faculty or employees.

With confirmation of the presence of ACM, an Asbestos Management Plan was developed for our schools by an EPA accredited management planner. The Management Plan includes the inspection and physical assessment reports, the training program for our custodial and maintenance personnel, the plans and procedure to be followed to minimize disturbance of the asbestos-containing materials, and a program for regular surveillance of the ACM. Every three years, an inspection by an accredited inspector must be conducted on all friable and non-friable known or assumed asbestos containing materials (ACBM) to determine whether the condition of the ACBM has changed and to make recommendations on managing or removing the ACBM. The next inspection is scheduled for the summer of 2023.

The following buildings contain no asbestos-containing building materials; therefore, no operations and maintenance programs of future inspections are required in these buildings: Oregon Trail Elementary, Sawtooth Elementary, Perrine Elementary, Rock Creek Elementary, Pillar Falls Elementary, South Hills Middle School, and Canyon Ridge High School. All asbestos containing materials were removed from the Spencer Building prior to remodeling for use by the Support Service staff. The Alternative Middle School modular classrooms are asbestos free.

The district conducts a periodic surveillance inspection every 6 months to check the condition of the remaining asbestos and to determine if any action is needed. During 1998, asbestos-containing building materials (ACBM) were removed, encapsulated, or encased in the boiler room of Bickel Elementary.

For Further details on the locations of the remaining ACBM or on asbestos activities, you are welcome to review a copy of the Asbestos Management Plan in our administrative offices during regular office hours. Bill Southwick, Maintenance Supervisor, is our designated asbestos program coordinator, and all inquiries regarding the plan should be directed to him at 733-4277 or 733-6900.

Distributed To: Certified & Classified Staff, PTA representatives and parents, Posted on building bulletin boards and the district website, and Eva Craner, TFSD Public Relations Contact.