Lead & Asbestos 2020
With little oversight, asbestos issues challenge Pa. schools
A potentially cancer-causing material could exist in wall insulation, ceiling plaster or floor tiles in more than 2,000 Pennsylvania schools.
Across the state, with limited money for renovations and little state or federal oversight, asbestos remains a hidden danger.
Gov. Wolf Announces Billion-Dollar Plan to Fix Toxic Schools, Address Lead Across Pennsylvania
Governor Tom Wolf today presented a series of proposed 2020-21 budget items totaling more than $1.1 billion to support reducing the risks to Pennsylvanians of lead and asbestos, and remediating existing toxins in schools, day care centers, homes, and public water systems.
“Decades ago, well-intentioned Pennsylvanians constructed our homes, schools, waterways and other structures out of asbestos and lead because they were thought to be harmless, even superior materials,” Gov. Wolf said. “Now we know the serious harm both can cause. To build a better Pennsylvania, we first need to fix our foundation, which is why the five lead and asbestos removal initiatives I’m outlining today are so important.”
Lead. Asbestos. Mold. Pennsylvania’s old schools need repairs, governor saying in budget appeal to lawmakers
Wolf must deliver a budget proposal to the Legislature on Feb. 4, and lawmakers who are pressing for state aid to address what they call a massive and growing problem have asked the Democratic governor to include money in the spending package.
Map: 100 Pa. schools found lead in their drinking water. Here’s how they responded.
Public health experts all agree that there’s no such thing as a safe level of lead exposure for children.
But new state data show that thousands of children across Pennsylvania have likely been exposed to the toxic metal in their school drinking water.
Asbestos, Unsafe Lead Levels Found in Scranton Schools
It’s possible school administrators and board members had that information years ago but did nothing about it. The state attorney general is now investigating.
Asbestos 2019
Philadelphia Parents Continue To Call For Change Following Discovery Of Asbestos In Multiple Schools
“We need to know what the circumstance is,” Pennsylvania State Sen. Vincent Hughes said. “We need to not run away from the problem, we need to run towards the problem and understand what it is we have to deal with.”
Lead 2019
High lead levels found in water at Emerson-Gridley
The Erie School District temporarily shut off the water at its Emerson-Gridley building on Wednesday due to high lead levels and is making arrangements to bring in bottled water for staff and students to drink.
Carbon Monoxide – 2019
Fleetwood school closed Friday after suspected CO sickens 8
Emergency crews were called to the school around 8:30 p.m. for reports of several people suddenly feeling ill.
Radon – 2019
PA Has Especially High Levels Of Radon, New Bill Would Mandate Testing For It In Schools
Blamed for 20,000 deaths per year, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers in the United States.
Levels in Pennsylvania are considered especially high nationally. An estimated 40 percent of homes in the state have radon levels above the Environmental Protection Agency’s action guideline of 4 picocuries per liter of air.
Boiler – 2019
Saint Bede School will be closed again Friday as boiler repairs continue
PITTSBURGH — Saint Bede School in Point Breeze will be closed Friday for a second day of boiler repairs, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh said.
The school was closed Thursday morning due to a boiler issue that led to the building having no heat.
Temporary fix keeping Penn Hills High School warm after boilers break
But Superintendent Nancy Hines said it’s business as usual at the high school and the district is moving forward with a plan to keep the building comfortably warm until an insurance claims adjuster determines what went wrong.
Mold and Heat – 2018
Mold, excessive heat plague Pa. schools, delay start of new year
By Steve Marroni | smarroni@pennlive.com
When the school bell rings in a new year of learning, it means reuniting with old classmates, meeting new teachers and hitting the books once again.
This year, it also means excessive heat and mold.
Mold concerns cause delays, closures at multiple schools in Western Pennsylvania
Several school districts in Western Pennsylvania are dealing with mold-related issues at the start of the 2018-19 school year.
Mold – 2018
Mold found in Plum schools; start of new school year postponed until Sept. 4
PLUM, Pa. — The start of classes in the Plum Borough School District has been pushed back to Sept. 4 because of “air quality concerns” at the high school and the junior high, according to a statement released Monday.
Mold delays start of school in area districts
Many kids head back to school Monday but some schools scheduled to start were delayed due to mold and moisture issues.
In Monroe County, Pleasant Valley School District pushed back the first day of school from Monday to Tuesday.
Another School District to Close Due to Mold
BRADFORD COUNTY, Pa. — Yet another school district in our area will be closed to clean up mold.
According to the Canton Area School District website, schools in the district will be closed Friday, August 31 through Friday, September 7.
Recently testing found higher than acceptable mold levels in buildings throughout the Bradford County district.
Mount Pleasant Junior/Senior High School delays start of classes due to water damage, possible mold
MOUNT PLEASANT, Pa. —
Mount Pleasant Area School District has delayed the start of classes for junior high and high school students after water damage and possible mold was found in the building.
Teachers found water damage and what looks like mold and fungus in at least one classroom. Air quality tests also show an elevated level for mold.
Mold Closes Elementary School in Pottsville
POTTSVILLE, Pa. — John S. Clarke Elementary in the Pottsville Area School District is closed for the rest of the week. Officials there tell us mold was discovered in the school.
The district’s website says the superintendent will provide an update by Friday.
Athens Area School District Closes School Due to Mold
Athens Area School District discovered the mold growing on a bookshelf in one of the classrooms shortly after the school day ended on Thursday. Students and faculty were then notified that they would not be able to return to the school until the end of next week if all the mold is cleaned up by then.
Heat – 2018
Pittsburgh Public Schools, Almost 2 Dozen Other Districts To Dismiss Early Tuesday
When the sun beats down, those of us who can will escape into air conditioning.
Reading School District to dismiss students early because of heat advisory
The district announced Monday night that it will dismiss its students early Tuesday and Wednesday because of a heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service.
West Shore School District dismissing early due to heat
Afternoon kindergarten is canceled today, and morning kindergarten students will stay in school and receive lunch before being dismissed at 12:45 p.m.
Boiler – 2018
Middletown School District considers elementary school shakeup, closing at least 1
None of the options presented included the use of Kunkel, the only elementary school in Lower Swatara Township. And one option eliminated student use of Fink Elementary.
Collapse – 2018
Snow blamed for roof collapse at school wrestling building
Administrators blame the snow for a partial roof collapse.
“I’m just glad we didn’t have kids in the room at the time it came down,” wrestling coach John Little said,
A school spokesman said anywhere from six inches to a foot of snow piled on the building that’s been around since 1992 and is used as a training facility.
Flooding – 2018
Tuscarora School District to be closed today due to flooding
The district announced the move via a message on its website:
Due to localized flooding and the recommendation of our township supervisors TSD will be closed today, Thursday, September 13.
Emmaus High School closed through Wednesday after flooding
EMMAUS, Pa. (WPVI) — The cleanup continues at Emmaus High School in Lehigh County.
Classes were canceled after the school’s lower level was flooded during Friday night’s powerful storms.
Viewer video shows water filling the hallways, classrooms, the main office, and gym.
School closures, evacuations underway in Philipsburg-Osceola area
In Centre County, Philipsburg-Osceola canceled class for all schools due to flooding.
The Philipsburg area was one of the hardest hit by the flooding on Monday and subsequent road closures.
Asbestos – 2017
Kimmel opening to other districts
“It’s a way to ensure the program doesn’t lose money, and it gives other districts a way to provide alternative education to their students without going to private companies,” Superintendent Charles Prijatelj said.
The school board this week approved Prijatelj’s proposal to charge outside districts tuition to send their students to the school.
Mold – 2017
Mold Delays Start of School in Pike County
LEHMAN TOWNSHIP — Mold means a longer summer break for students in the Poconos.
Classes are being pushed back at Lehman Intermediate until next Tuesday, August 29th.
Students at East Stroudsburg Area Senior High School North won’t go back to class until Thursday the 31st.
East Pennsboro schools address mold problems again
East Pennsboro Elementary School, East Pennsboro High School, and West Creek Hills Elementary School all tested for high levels of mold spores.
Lead 2017
Did officials at Pa. school district cover up dangerous lead levels in drinking water?
According to reports, on Aug. 15 of last year, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) notified Butler Area School District administrators of unacceptable lead levels above 15 parts per billion (ppb) and as high as 55 parts per billion in the well water supplied to Summit Township Elementary School.
Collapse – 2017
Centennial School District closes middle school swimming pools after ceiling collapse
The incident occurred July 14 when three members of the Central Bucks Family YMCA were on the pool deck, according to district officials. No one was hurt, but several people “were very startled,” said David Baugh, Centennial’s superintendent.
Asbestos – 2016
District prepares to demolish intermediate school, remove asbestos
The demolition comes after voters approved a $23 million referendum in 2014 to build a new elementary school and revamp the old middle and elementary school.
Along with tearing down walls, crews will also start removing asbestos from the intermediate school building.
Mold – 2016
Mold issue forces closure of East Pennsboro High School for at least 3 more weeks
Cedar Cliff High School closed Wednesday due to mold discovery
Mold was found on pipes in the West Shore Academy section of Cedar Cliff High School and in the school’s main office late Tuesday afternoon. Sean Simmers, PennLive.com August 31, 2016
Another Cumberland County school will be closed Wednesday due to the discovery of mold.