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District outlines asbestos abatement and renovation timeline for Talbot Elementary
Summary
School officials told the Jefferson County board they found asbestos largely in floor tiles and insulation at Talbot Elementary, plan to abate tile and mastic during summer using a liquid-gel removal process, and will proceed with construction when safe; metal roof decking reduces some earlier concerns about roof structure.
District staff provided a project update for Talbot Elementary, saying inspectors found asbestos primarily in accessible floor tiles and some insulation and that abatement can be handled without extensive structural work to roof decking. The director (S3) said crews will remove tile and mastic using a liquid-gel process during the summer, then resume renovation work once the site is safe and contracted work is in place. He emphasized the district will not rush abatement or construction "at someone's expense or chance," and said incomplete wings would be paused rather than putting anyone at risk.
Board members noted earlier concerns that roof struts might be wooden; staff said testing showed steel decking rather than wood, reducing the need for additional fire protection or major roof removal. District staff said they must finalize construction documents and bid the work; the earliest realistic bidding timeline is late July after abatement specifications and construction documents are complete, with a target for substantial completion timed before the next school year where possible.
The director also described related projects: Jefferson Elementary’s design-development phase is nearly finished and an Atlanta firm is preparing a revised cost estimate; Jefferson Middle School’s HVAC work is more complex because it includes inside/outside units and cannot be done while students are present, meaning a heavy summer schedule will be required to complete that work.
No contract awards or formal votes were recorded at the meeting. Staff said they will bring required construction documents, abatement specifications and updated estimates to the board for future approval and to begin the procurement process.
