Williamsport High School: asbestos abatement complete; district outlines Jan. 26 student return plan
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Operations staff told the board asbestos abatement and air‑clearance testing at Williamsport High School are complete, described remaining construction/HVAC work and proposed a phased return with students scheduled to report Monday, Jan. 26; no formal vote was recorded.
Operations staff reported the completion of asbestos abatement and described ongoing construction work ahead of a proposed student return. "I'm pleased to announce that asbestos abatement is complete at Williamsport High School," the operations lead said, noting final cleaning and duct cleaning dates (Dec. 15 and Dec. 21) and that remaining tile removal over the holiday included chemical mastic removal and follow‑up air‑clearance sampling; the consultant's clearance letter and test results were posted on the district website.
Staff detailed construction work that remains: electrical replacement on track to finish before students return, kitchen renovation nearing completion, partial flooring work to be completed before the student return and planned tile replacement over the summer in rooms where asbestos tile was removed. HVAC work is in final stages—heat had been restored to the gym on Dec. 10, final penthouse duct connections are nearing completion, and air‑handler start‑up and testing were planned for the coming week with balancing to follow.
Return plan and logistics: District staff proposed students would return Monday, Jan. 26, with a set timeline for teachers to prepare classrooms in the week before. Freshman orientation and a web day for students new to Williamsport were scheduled the day before; marking‑period 2 grades were to be due at 4 p.m. so report cards and athletic eligibility align with other county high schools. In response to board questions, staff said custodial teams and additional shift custodians can help teachers unpack and that pallet breakdown and room placement will limit physical burdens on staff.
Why it matters: The update addresses both health‑safety concerns (asbestos abatement and air‑clearance testing) and operational readiness for reopening. Staff characterized remaining risks as low and described a plan to finish short‑term repairs now and complete non‑critical tile replacement during summer work.
Ending: Communications staff will send targeted notices to Williamsport faculty and parents and notify elected officials; the board thanked staff and adjourned the work session. No formal vote or binding action was taken on the reopening plan during this meeting.