Solon officials: Roxbury school wings to reopen after asbestos abatement; EPA says cleanup "above and beyond"

District facilities staff told the Solon Board of Education on Oct. 13 that work to clear two wings of Roxbury Elementary is progressing and that abatement in the North Wing is underway but slower because of asbestos remediation and detailed cataloging of classroom materials.

Facilities staff member Bolton said the South and East wings have come in below clearance levels and that those sections were being opened so teachers could retrieve instructional materials. For the North Wing, staff said abatement crews are cataloging and photographing hundreds of items room by room so teachers can identify personal items or required records. Staff said the district will scan required documents and replace materials that must be discarded.

Bolton told the board that the Environmental Protection Agency conducted a site visit and “commented that we are going above and beyond” in the cleanup and abatement process. The district said it is staging cleaned items in gymnasium and cafeteria spaces and has already obtained quotes for replacement carpet, lighting and ceilings that were removed during remediation.

School officials said they continue to use temporary space (a local church) for affected students and are working on a process for families to request specific items from cleared rooms, such as spare glasses or classroom materials.

Board members were told the work is being closely coordinated with teachers and that more sections should be cleared later in the week so teachers may retrieve additional materials. No reopening date for the North Wing was given.

The district said it has been sharing updates with the public and expects additional progress reports as abatement and restoration work continues.