The Board of Education for SSSD & VT SD of the County of Salem Office of the Superintendent
880 Route 45, PO Box 126 Woodstown, NJ 08098
(856) 769- 0101 ext. 5214
Fax: (856) 769- 5602
John R. Swain
Superintendent
Frank H. Maurer, III
Assistant Superintendent
Business Administrator/ Board Secretary
Jennifer K. Bates, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent
Business Administrator/ Board Secretary
May 7,2024
Dear Parents, Staff, and Stakeholders,
During the demolition phase of work that is being done as a part of the 11VAC classroom project at Salem County Vocational-Technical High School, multiple layers of floor tiles were unexpectedly found in Room B9. Upon removal of the pieces of the lower layer of tiles, bulk samples were gathered by the District’s outside environmental consultants and sent to an outside testing facility to determine if asbestos was present. While awaiting those results, demolition work was stopped, and both the room and the hallway entrance to Room B9 were sealed in an abundance of caution.
The results of the initial tests indicated that the floor tiles and the mastic that was used as an adhesive contained low levels of asbestos. Accordingly, an air test was conducted on May 6, 2024, to determine whether airborne asbestos was present in Room B9 and the adjacent hallway. This morning the District was informed that the results of that air test were negative.
The disposal, cleanup and abatement process will be conducted when school is not in session starting on the afternoon of Friday, May 10, 2024, and will be completed by the time school opens on Monday, May 13, 2024. In the meantime, Room B9 will remain sealed off until that work is completed. Again, all appropriate safeguards, as recommended by the outside environmental consultants have been, and will continue to be taken to ensure that the cleanup has no impact on students or staff.
Throughout this process, the outside environmental consultants have advised the District that they did not believe that anyone was in danger health wise, and that the school could remain open. As always, the health and well-being of students and staff is of the highest priority.
For any questions, please contact John Swain at 1-856-769-0101 ext. 5301.
Respectfully, John R. Swain
Superintendent Salem County Vocational-Technical and Salem County Special Services School Districts