Asbestos forces part of local elementary school to shut down

MAYNARD, Mass. — Parents are worried about the health and safety of their children after a hidden danger forced part of a local elementary school to close for the rest of the year.

Myah loves school but the kindergartener stayed home Monday because her mom fears sitting in a classroom at the Green Meadow Elementary School in Maynard is making her sick.

"She's got this god-awful cough and I can't get to the bottom of it. She's been on antibiotics, she has the nebulizer," said mother Bridgette Howard.

Myah began falling ill with a cough in late October and that's when Bridgette Howard noticed a pattern.

"It seems like the pattern when she goes to school, she comes home sick," said Howard.

Howard's worries went up last week when she learned of the sudden decision to close off the area of the school where her daughter has class because asbestos ceiling tiles had to be removed after one broke free.

"It would probably take two to three months so we couldn't wait until summer because then we would end up delaying the start of the next school year," said Dr. Robert Gerardi, Superintendent of Schools.

That forced the school to move students from that wing to places such as the cafeteria.

"As far as our staff is concerned, they really care about providing quality education and that's what they've said to me and they're going to do their best to make it happen," said Gerardi.

Environmental concerns at the school are nothing new. A state report from last fall found the school needed more ventilation. Another found a moderate probability of fungal growth in ten sampled areas, a high probability in four.

The Maynard Education Association surveyed teachers at the school and found they reported back asthma at a three-fold higher rate than the statewide average.

Howard has a personal reason for worrying about respiratory issues - her parents.

"It's really concerning for me because I have a family that has COPD and emphysema so I know that's nothing to joke around with, nothing to play with," said Howard.

The school district says while students are being moved to other parts of the building, they are not currently considering moving students to other buildings. The school went on to say, "The asbestos remediation is being conducted after a roof leak caused damage to ceiling tiles in the oldest wing of the school. One classroom has since been shut down, and the district made the decision to remove all of the old ceiling tiles in that wing of the school and install a modern drop ceiling. The town made initial repairs to the roof last year, and the school district will be seeking additional funding for roof repairs at the May Town Meeting."

Cox Media Group