NEWS

VHS South asbestos project on schedule

Deborah M. Marko
@dmarko_dj

VINELAND - An asbestos abatement project at Vineland High School South is proceeding on schedule, meaning the building should be ready in time for the Sept. 6 first day of school, according to district officials.

Asbestos, uncovered during the installation of a new heating/air conditioning system, is expected to be removed by Aug 31. This gives district’s maintenance crews Labor Day weekend to get the classrooms in order.

How it started: Vineland High air conditioning project hits snag

“Everyone’s been working hard to get this project done,” board member Chris Jennings told his colleagues at Wednesday’s special school board meeting.

“We’ve had several heated discussions where things had to be ironed out and discussed,”  said Jennings, who heads up the board's facilities subcommittee.

“There are people involved, there’s safety involved and health,” Jennings said.

Last year, the school district and the N.J. Schools Development Authority teamed up for the two-year, $10 million HVAC installation. They hadn’t expected to encounter asbestos due to previous abatement work at the school.

When the carcinogen was discovered, it became the main priority to remove it, pushing back the timetable for the heating and air conditioning work. The asbestos didn’t pose a threat to students or staff because it was enclosed behind insulation and didn’t pose a danger until it was exposed during demolition work, school officials said.

Related story: VHS South will not reopen until all asbestos removed

The areas of concern were the band/choral room, a guidance office annex area and the end of A-wing including the locker rooms, bathrooms, wrestling room and kitchen, said Paul Farinaccio, the district's maintenance services assistant director.

The environmental issues will be addressed before students and staff are admitted into the building. There may be some ongoing construction work with the contractor getting back to the HVAC installation.

During an update meeting earlier in the day Wednesday, the plan was to have the east cafeteria available to students with lunches brought in from the north building, Farinaccio said.

If need be, the choral and band classes will be moved to the auditorium, he said.

Principal Tom McCann told The Daily Journal there are emergency safeguards in place in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

There's not just a Plan B, he said, there's a Plan C and Plan D, that include delaying the school opening to split sessions at the north building, all of which he said at this point are unlikely.

Deborah M. Marko; (856) 563-5256: dmarko@gannettnj.com