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Mercedes ISD to contract disposal firm after inventory finds hundreds of expired lab chemicals
Summary
District administrators recommended contracting Camsol Services to remove expired chemicals from Mercedes High School after a campus walk-through identified dozens of items that have exceeded shelf life; the board approved the disposal contract and asked for a districtwide inventory follow-up.
Mercedes ISD trustees approved a contract with Camsol Services Environmental Solutions to begin disposal of chemicals that have exceeded shelf life at Mercedes High School after an initial facility walk-through and inventory estimate.
Administration told the board the vendor’s on-site assessment identified an initial inventory of expired or excess items at the high school; the vendor produced an estimated disposal cost in the range of roughly $26,000. The district described the work as a priority for student and staff safety and said further assessment will be required to inventory any remaining items across other campuses.
Superintendent Doctor Noyola and facilities staff said the discovery followed preparations for a new dual-enrollment science course and a campus inspection by science staff. The vendor’s estimate covered the items inventoried during a two-day visit to the high school; administration said additional inventory work is needed to confirm the full scope and cost before final invoices are issued.
Board members asked whether the quoted price covered the entire campus inventory or only the items found on the initial walk-through; administration answered that the $26,000 estimate covered the inventoried items the vendor reviewed and that additional chemicals at the campus and district-wide still need assessment. Administration said the vendor is the cooperative provider other districts use and that disposal through a qualified environmental contractor is the standard approach when classroom chemicals have exceeded their shelf life.
Trustees approved the vendor contract and directed administration to (1) complete a thorough, districtwide inventory of lab chemicals; (2) return to the board with a more complete cost estimate; and (3) implement regular inventory practices for science departments to avoid future accumulation of expired materials.
