MIFFLIN COUNTY, Pa. — Update, Sept. 5: The Mifflin County Academy of Science and Technology will reopen for instruction on Friday, Sept. 6 after it was closed for three days due to asbestos testing.
According to a press release from the Academy, administration officials were notified on Aug. 30 that individuals from the construction trades program removed a chalkboard from the wall of their classroom on Aug. 29, possibly exposing them to asbestos.
After receiving the information, the construction trades classroom was sealed off and samples of the material thought to contain asbestos were taken for immediate testing.
Test results were reportedly completed at 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 30 which reported an 8% concentration of asbestos in the mastic.
After receiving the results, the construction trades classroom was ordered to remain closed and the parents/ guardians of the students who were present in the room when the chalkboard was removed were notified by the Academy's administration that the existence of asbestos-containing materials had been confirmed.
A certified inspection company was consulted and a plan for the testing was established, according to the Academy. At 8 p.m., the administration learned that a power tool, later identified as an oscillating tool with a scraping blade, was used to remove the mastic glue off the wall after the chalkboard was removed. This new information resulted in the Administration being concerned that airborne particles of asbestos had been released due to the use of the power tool.
It was this concern that reportedly formed the basis for the decision to close the Academy to all students and staff until further notice.
The press release outlines all of the testing performed at the Academy which reportedly found no further presence of asbestos. The full press release can be found here.
Following the testing, the Academy will reopen for classes on Sept. 6.
Update, Sept. 4: The Mifflin County Academy of Science & Technology will remain closed as officials wait for the results of asbestos testing samples, according to a Facebook post.
Samples were collected yesterday and sent to a lab in New Jersey for testing, but school officials say the results will not be available in time to make a decision on reopening the Academy for Wednesday classes. As a result, the Academy building will remain closed on Thursday, Sept. 5.
All high school programs for the Academy will be held in various instructional areas at Mifflin County High School on Wednesday, Sept. 4, school officials said. All Mifflin County School District and Juniata County School District Academy students will be at Mifflin County High School on Wednesday, Sept. 4 for instruction.
Previously: A Mifflin County school will be closed on Tuesday, Sept. 3 for asbestos testing.
According to a Facebook post, the Mifflin County Academy of Science & Technology was notified on Aug. 30 that the construction trade program had removed a chalkboard from the wall of their classroom during an afternoon session.
The mastic glue from the construction trades classroom was tested and found to contain asbestos over the recommended limit for EPA levels, according to the Facebook post.
As a result, the Academy will be closed on Tuesday, Sept. 3 for all students and staff as air samples are collected and tested.
Juniata County School District Academy students have been advised to remain at their home schools on Sept. 3.
The Facebook post outlines the following guidelines for students:
"The MCHS Academy students will report to the MCHS Auditorium for a study hall during their assigned Academy Sessions on Tuesday, Sept. 3. MCHS Academy students will eat lunch at MCHS Cafeteria on Tuesday
All Academy employees (except the adult nursing program employees) should plan to report to the MCHS Auditorium Tuesday morning.
The adult nursing program employees and adult nursing program students will receive information from Heather Haines related to your schedule for Tuesday, Sept. 3."
