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District authorizes $64,000 hazardous-material assessments for three condemned school buildings
Summary
The board approved environmental assessments (lead, asbestos, cadmium) at three properties with condemnation orders to inform renovation or demolition decisions; the contract was presented as costing $64,000.
The Benton Harbor Area Schools Board of Education voted to authorize environmental assessments at three district properties that staff said have received condemnation orders. Superintendent Dr. Simone Griffin told trustees the district must assess Martindale Elementary (2199 Laurel Drive), Fairplane Northeast Elementary (400 Donald Atkins Drive) and Bard School (1200 East Main Street) for lead, asbestos and cadmium prior to any demolition or renovation.
Staff said the assessments are required to comply with the EPA National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants and OSHA standards for asbestos, lead and cadmium, and reported the total inspection cost for the three buildings as $64,000. The assessments will provide data to guide decisions about renovation versus demolition and to frame future facility planning.
Trustees emphasized the importance of completing such assessments before issuing any contracts for major work or making land-sale decisions. The board approved SME's proposal to conduct the environmental assessments by roll-call vote and noted additional vacant district buildings may be evaluated later as part of the facilities master plan.
Secretary Triplet and other trustees encouraged expedited follow-up and said the district will return with prioritized plans once assessment results are available.
