Asbestos Issues a Big Distraction at Georgia High School

Columbus, Georgia - May 9, 2009

Ongoing asbestos issues at Carver High School in Columbus, GA are raising public ire. There is asbestos in the ceiling, mold on the walls and water stains on the carpet.

The oldest buildings on the campus date from 1954.

Administrators, teachers and students say that the time has come to put an end to the near-constant stream of repairs, and build an entirely new school.

However, demolition and building a new school would cost an estimated $45 million. For school districts with already-tight budgets, asbestos abatement is often a cost that just cannot be covered without additional aid, often from state grants or federal funding.

One hallway is known to have asbestos in the ceiling, which prompted workers to drill into the walls to run conduits for electrical lines and Internet. If asbestos was disturbed, the asbestos dust could be inhaled by students and teachers, which could lead to mesothelioma later in life.

A public forum was recently held to discuss the issues plaguing the school. Members of the community feel that the school's issues have been neglected for too long.

Walter Gould said he was concerned about the asbestos and mold issues in the school, and is disappointed in the way that school district has let the school fall into such disrepair.

"Carver High didn't just come up with these problems yesterday," he said at the forum held at Baker Middle School on Monday.

Superintendent Susan Andrews responded: "You're right, it did not get in that shape overnight. It's been added onto and added onto. Some of it is the age of different pieces," Andrews said. "Some of it is deferred maintenance."