Mount Hebron High School Principal David Brown says the school is ready to open next week, but a community group ? Help Mount Hebron ? is still concerned, citing a report that shows that renovations to portions of the building should be “seriously considered.”
“Mount Hebron presents a safe and effective environment for students to learn, and I?m confident we?ll open the school successfully,” Brown said Thursday.
Brown said the main needs at the building, built in 1965, are upgrading the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, along with other support systems.
The report, drafted in April 2006 by Rockville-based Smolen-Emr and Associates Architects and obtained by The Examiner, said there are abandoned underground tunnel pipes covered in asbestos insulation. The report adds that tests are needed to determine whether lead solder was used when the original piping system was installed.
The school system?s policy is to regularly test for both lead and asbestos, and the school is safe regarding these issues, school system spokeswoman Patti Caplan said.
Caplan added that the water system would be shut down if lead was discovered, and students would be given bottled water. Asbestos is a problem only if it gets into the air.
“If we felt Mount Hebron was not safe for students and staff, we would not be opening the school on Monday,” Caplan said.
The school board has yet to make a decision, but it is expected to discuss the issue when it considers the capital budget next month.
“Ultimately, we want a plan to make Mount Hebron a safe and healthy environment for students,” Cindy Ardinger of Help Mount Hebron said.
Superintendent Sydney Cousin had recommended a $50 million renovation project, but board member Frank Aquino said this was rejected.
“The bottom line is, we?re now waiting to hear revised options from the superintendent?s office,” Aquino said.
Last year, there had been complaints of rodent infestation, faulty plumbing and sewage leaks, but school board chair Diane Mikulis said these issues have been addressed. Brown said a larger-capacity sewage/wastewater line was installed this summer.
“It?s habitable, perfectly fine for education,” Mikulis said. “There?s nothing that leads me to believe there?s a problem.”
