August 2011

District Patrons,

Asbestos is an issue the Knob Noster School District has been dealing with for many years.  Congress enacted the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) in 1986.  AHERA was enacted to determine the extent of and to develop solutions for any problems schools may have with asbestos.

To give you some background, asbestos has been used as a building material for many years.  It is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined primarily in Canada, South Africa, and the former USSR Asbestos' properties made it an ideal building material for insulating, sound absorption, decorative plasters, fireproofing, and a variety of miscellaneous uses.  There have been over 3,000 different products made using asbestos materials.  EPA began action to limit uses of asbestos products in 1973, and most use of asbestos products as building materials was banned in 1978.

In 1988, we had our facilities inspected by certified inspectors and reinspected in 1991, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, and 2009 as required by AHERA.  The inspector located, sampled, and rated the condition and hazard potential of all suspect materials in our facilities.  The inspection and laboratory reports were then used by another certified professional to develop an asbestos management plan for all of our facilities.  This management plan, which has been implemented, includes this notification letter, training records for our employees, plans and procedures designed to minimize the disturbance of materials, and plans for regular surveillance of asbestos-containing materials.  Since 1988 virtually all of the known friable asbestos-containing materials have been removed from all four of our buildings.  In February 1995, our AHERA records and practices were audited by the EPA and found to be in full compliance with its requirements.

A copy of the asbestos management plan is available for your inspection in our administrative offices during regular office hours. I serve as the District's Asbestos Program Manager, and all inquiries regarding the plan should be directed to myself or to the Superintendent of Schools, John Hays, at 563-3186.

We are intent on not only complying with, but exceeding federal, state, and local regulations in this area.  We plan to take whatever steps are necessary to insure your children and our employees have a healthy, safe environment in which to learn and work.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jaret Tomlinson
Assistant Superintendent