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Williamsport High cleanup: district targets gym reopening for winter season as asbestos remediation continues
Summary
District staff reported progress on asbestos remediation at Williamsport High School, including removal of contaminated materials, duct cleaning, and building decontamination; the district aims to reopen the gym for winter sports in mid‑November while upper‑level decontamination and HVAC work continue.
Washington County Public Schools staff provided an update on the cleanup and remediation at Williamsport High School, reporting that contractors have removed contaminated materials, are conducting air testing and duct cleaning, and are targeting a gym reopening for the winter sports season.
Staff said teams removed 189 pallets of material (eight tractor‑trailer loads) from the building and have been working several days to meet schedule targets. The district engaged specialized contractors for asbestos‑cleaning and a firm that can both clean ducts and address asbestos‑impacted surfaces. The contractor team was scheduled to begin gym‑level duct cleaning and HVAC work the week after the presentation.
The district said rooftop HVAC units for the gym are separate and that the plan is to certify the gym area as clean under EPA/AHERA testing standards before reconnecting ductwork and air handlers. School staff and the contractors built full partition walls so the gym level can be segregated from the rest of the building during remediation and to protect the work area. Officials said they expect to finish initial gym cleaning and air testing imminently and then complete a re‑clean after duct work so the gym can be certified for use.
The district also reported upper‑level decontamination would begin after gym areas are recertified. Work includes removing ceiling tiles, protecting and cleaning media‑center and library stacks, and replacing ceilings in spaces where plaster ceilings must come down. New boilers and domestic hot‑water equipment are to be installed once the boiler room is recertified and cleared for contractor work.
Williamsport principal and district staff surveyed students, staff and families about recovery options; a majority favored continuing virtual instruction until the building is safe to re‑occupy rather than moving students temporarily to other county sites. District staff said they appreciate community cooperation and are prioritizing getting winter sports and other extracurricular activities back into the gym on schedule if clearance testing permits.
The district asked the public to note that all work will be certified under applicable testing standards before asking students and the public to use rooms; staff will continue to update the board on timing and testing results as work proceeds.
