School Board OKs Asbestos Removal From Two School Buildings

At a special meeting last week, the Brecksville-Broadview Heights School Board unanimously approved $120,000 in asbestos removal at Chippewa Elementary School and at the middle school.

The work is expected to begin this summer, once classes let out.

According to school officials, the asbestos doesn’t currently present a health hazard to students or staff, but law requires the district to — very carefully — remove the material during any renovation or demolition.

“Many of the schools built in the 1950s used asbestos as a building material,” Larry Tomec, the district’s business manger, told Brecksville Patch last week.

“Often when any renovations occur the asbestos has got to go.”

At Chippewa Elementary district officials are considering new lighting and complete ceiling — which would automatically trigger asbestos abatement, expected to cost about $73,200.

The middle school needs tile replacement, and the asbestos removal would cost an expected $44,630.

“We are running new wiring in the ceilings for a PA system and computer/security networks,” Tomec said. 

Rick Berdine, the district’s treasurer, said he expects both projects will be completed by the end of the summer.