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Gateway community urges board to clarify asbestos mitigation and future of neighborhood school
Summary
A Gateway neighborhood resident said asbestos mitigation work at the old Gateway school began during spring break with limited community notice and asked the board what will happen to the facility; the board invited further conversation and committed to follow-up.
A Gateway neighborhood resident told the District 51 Board on March 24 that asbestos mitigation at the old Gateway school began over spring break and said the community has not received clear information about whether mitigation signals an imminent demolition.
“I found out right away that someone was tearing the school down,” Lisa Casto said, describing a conversation with an on‑site contractor who told her he was doing asbestos mitigation. Casto said she was told the mitigation work involved removing limited materials in molding and siding, but that the Gateway community does not want the school torn down and seeks a plan for continued local access to a public building.
Casto asked the board what the district’s plan is for the site, whether students will be relocated and what community engagement has taken place. The board responded that staff will follow up and invited Casto to meet with district representatives to discuss options and next steps.
Board members did not vote on a facilities action during the meeting; they acknowledged the concern and recommended continued community conversation and staff follow-up so residents can understand the timeline and proposed outcomes for the property.
Separately during public comment, speakers urged the board to consider a local mill-levy override to increase district funding and reduce vulnerability to possible state cuts discussed earlier in the meeting.
