Students are returning to Layman E. Scott Sr. High School on Cayman Brac after asbestos was removed from the premises.
The hazardous material was discovered in a section of the roof and in the tilework of one classroom during testing in late June.
Education Minister Rolston Anglin said at the time that there was likely no “immediate risk” from the asbestos, but added that the school buildings would be shuttered until remediation work was complete.
Students are understood to have been taught in a mix of online classes and in-person lessons at a different location.
Consultants CIH Environmental carried out the asbestos abatement activities at the school between 25 Aug. and 15 Sept.
In a letter to the Department of Education Services (DES), CIH Environmental said, “The scope of work included the removal and disposal of non-friable roofing materials containing a small amount of Chrysotile asbestos, the most commonly used type of asbestos worldwide, particularly in roofing applications.”
The asbestos-containing debris was transferred to the Cayman Brac landfill site, where it was confirmed by the Department of Environmental Health Waste Management Facility as being disposed of by burial.
Air samples taken from the school building were sent to an independent US-based asbestos accredited laboratory for analysis, and all tested areas met the clearance air criteria.
Remediation work
The Ministry of Education and Training and the DES confirmed that environmental remediation work at the school was successfully completed. Details of the work carried out were shared with school staff and parents in a series of meetings convened by DES.
Anglin said: “The health and safety of our students and staff is always our highest priority, and I am pleased that the remediation works at Layman E. Scott Sr. High School have been completed to the highest standard.
“Most importantly, I commend the resilience of our teachers, students and parents, who adapted with professionalism and determination. We now look forward to safely welcoming everyone back to campus and resuming in-person learning.”
In-person learning resumed
Layman E. Scott Sr. High School acting principal Kevin Roberts welcomed the clearance.
“We are grateful the abatement process is complete, allowing our school community to safely return to campus,” he said.
“During the hybrid learning period, our staff and students showed remarkable resilience and dedication, and we sincerely appreciate the support and collaboration of the many individuals and entities in the Brac community who helped us maintain continuity of learning. We are now excited to reunite with our students and resume full in-person learning.”
New school
The Layman E. Scott Sr. school is more than 50 years old, and the buildings are in a state of disrepair and “reaching the end of their useful life”, according to a business case report that made the case for investment in a new school.
Work is under way on the new high school, which is being built by construction companies McAlpine and Arch and Godfrey.
The budget had been approaching $59 million, but government recently announced that it would save $6 million by dropping plans for a new gymnasium and connecting walkways.
More information about the abatement process can be found at Layman E. Scott Sr. High School website.
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