District pauses COH window replacements after asbestos discovery; stadium, fields near turnover

The Board of Education heard an update on the district’s multi‑phase capital project and was told contractors discovered asbestos-containing material behind existing windows at COH, prompting the district to stop further window removals and shift remaining work to 2026.

The update came during a presentation by Bill Devine of the Palumbo Group, the district’s project manager on the capital program. Devine told the board that phase 1 — districtwide renovations including bathrooms and a loading dock — is complete and that much of phase 2 work, including the new stadium, artificial turf and track, is nearing turnover. “We are officially turning that over on August 15,” Devine said of the stadium, noting punch‑list work remains.

The finding at COH occurred when crews removed aluminum window units and discovered an older wood window system behind them with caulk that tested positive for asbestos. Devine said the caulk tested “hot,” indicating asbestos-containing material (ACM). He described the condition as an unforeseen one…