Lead paint found at Saint Paul’s Elementary gym; remediation plan pending, health notices delayed in mail

Lead paint was detected in the gym at Saint Paul’s Elementary, and the district is coordinating a remediation plan with a contractor and county officials, staff told the Public Schools of Robeson County Construction & Finance Committee.

Bobby (staff member) reported that contractor Raymond Childress has performed readings at the gym and on exterior surfaces and is preparing a remediation plan that will be submitted to county authorities for approval. Bobby said the remediation must be coordinated with asbestos abatement in window areas where windows being replaced contain asbestos.

Why it matters: lead paint remediation affects building safety and triggers health‑department notification duties for young children and families.

Key points from committee discussion

- Testing and remediation: Bobby said the contractor compared his readings with an initial report from Raleigh and that some readings differed; the contractor and county and state contacts met to align tests and move toward an approved remediation plan. “Mr. Childress is on this and will get us a remediation plan together along with coordinating the abatement for the asbestos in the building as well,” Bobby said.

- Health notifications: the committee was told the law requires notifying children under age 6; staff said the health department drafted a notification letter but that the school did not receive it because it remained at the Saint Paul post office. Once staff learned the letter had not been delivered, the district began notifications and will follow the health department’s timeline for outreach. The district said the notification instructs parents to consult a physician; whether parents will be charged for testing was described as uncertain in the meeting record.

- Parent support and follow up: board members asked whether the health department or the district will assist families with testing access. Staff said the original letter instructs parents on next steps and that the district will research available follow‑up services and work with the health department on guidance to parents.

What’s next

- The district expects Raymond Childress’s remediation plan to be submitted to the county for approval. Remediation cannot proceed until the county approves that plan and asbestos abatement work is coordinated to allow window replacement.

- Staff will confirm the health department’s notification timeline and follow‑up testing resources and will report back to the board on any assistance options for families.

Ending: Committee members asked staff to clarify parent notification, testing access and the remediation schedule once the approved plan and county sign‑off are available.