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Board approves bids for Paloy roof removal and asbestos abatement; discusses saving memorabilia
Summary
The Pocahontas-area school board approved contractors to remove steel roofing and perform asbestos abatement on the Paloy school and discussed steps to preserve memorabilia; the board asked administrators to obtain legal and insurance guidance before finalizing transfers of historical items.
The Pocahontas Area Community School District board on Tuesday voted unanimously to award a pair of contracts meant to clear the way for demolition work at the Paloy school and to protect community artifacts before the building is destroyed. The board approved Bile Construction to remove steel roofing and Environmental Property Solutions to perform asbestos abatement, with abatement work scheduled to begin Oct. 31, officials said.
Board members and administrators told the board removing exterior steel is weather-sensitive and must precede abatement so that certified crews can safely access the asbestos-containing roofing materials. Superintendent Joe (first reference used as in-transcript) said contractors must provide temporary heat if temperatures force work to pause; the abatement contract includes that provision, the board was told.
The meeting also turned to a separate but related community concern: preserving trophies, banners, and other memorabilia currently inside the Paloy building. Cindy LZ, identified in the meeting as “mayor of Palay,” asked the board to allow residents to remove keepsakes before demolition. The superintendent described a proposed “permanent loan” arrangement to transfer district-owned memorabilia to the city or a museum to protect it from becoming privately owned, but he and board members cautioned that any transfer depends on legal and insurance review.
“The district’s working with Palmaroy to get the memorabilia items out of the building before any destructive activity takes place,” the superintendent said, noting the administration will seek legal feedback and insurance input, then return to the board with a recommended process. Board members asked the city and the district to jointly prepare an itemized list and a plan for removal and storage rather than decide transfer details at the same meeting.
The board approved the contracts by roll-call motion. Members emphasized they would not allow non‑district staff to remove items until insurers and counsel confirm safety and liability protections. The board chair reminded the public that during public comment the board listens but does not engage in debate or immediate responses.
Next steps: administrators will combine legal counsel and insurance feedback with a compiled list of items the community wants preserved. Any permanent transfers or loans of district property will return to the board as a separate agenda item.
