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Facilities manager reviews Safe Schools Plan, asbestos abatement and pest-management practices
Summary
Facilities manager Bob Bennett reviewed the district's annual Safe Schools Plan, detailing recent asbestos abatement projects, the schedule for lead and radon testing, and the Integrated Pest Management products the district uses.
The Ontario School District's facilities manager reported on the district's annual Safe Schools Plan on March 31, highlighting completed asbestos abatements, schedules for lead and radon testing, and the district's integrated pest management (IPM) practices.
"So each year, we're required by Oregon Department of Education to do an annual statement on their Safe Schools Plan," Facilities Manager Bob Bennett said during the meeting, summarizing his presentation and locating the plan and related testing results on the district website.
Bennett described three abatement projects the district completed in 2023—24: a June 2024 remediation at Alameda (office area remodel) costing about $51,000; a window removal project at the high school completed across 2023—24 at a total of $513,762 (including glass block and window framing); and a seismic upgrade that included removal of asbestos-containing roofing material and a new gym roof, abated in June—July 2024 for about $96,457.
On testing schedules, Bennett said lead-in-water testing was completed in 2023 and runs on a six-year cycle (next due 2029); radon testing occurs every 10 years, last completed in 2018 with the next due in 2028. He also explained that asbestos-containing materials that are intact and encapsulated can remain in place but require six-month inspections.
On pest management, Bennett said the district follows a product list provided by Oregon State University and summarized commonly used products: Roundup PowerMax for vegetation, SpeedZone (Q4) for broadleaf in fields, Telstar for indoor insect control, Tempo for outdoor use, Spectracide for wasp control and Alpine dust for inaccessible bees. He said herbicide lists are intentionally short under OSU guidance.
Board members asked clarifying questions about how asbestos is found in older floor tiles and adhesives; Bennett said many 9-inch floor tiles and black adhesives commonly contain asbestos. The board discussed the district's record-keeping and inspection cadence and the limits on replacing asbestos unless it is disturbed.
Bennett closed by noting the district posts related materials online and that the Safe Schools Plan includes asbestos management, lead and water testing, and radon tracking. The board did not take an immediate vote on these informational items.
