PARK CITY — A powerful windstorm disrupted the holiday season for Park City Public Schools, tearing off part of the gym’s roof and exposing a hidden danger: asbestos.
On December 17, a massive wind gust clocking at 82 mph damaged the gym’s roof, dispersing debris that included firewall material containing vermiculite asbestos. The school district, along with multiple agencies and contractors, has since been engaged in repairing the damage and addressing the hazardous material.
The community and school district confronted several challenges, from roof repairs to managing asbestos abatement during the holidays. Superintendent Dave Whitesell noted that although asbestos presence was only confirmed after the holidays, the district proactively treated the materials as contaminated.
Classes have been significantly affected. Kindergarten to third-grade students have been relocated to four different sites in town, while older students have switched to online learning platforms.
“The community has just been fantastic about this because there’s been a lot of unknowns and there still are a couple,” Whitesell remarked. “It did take a lot of dialing and phone calls, but once we got to the right people, it all worked out.”
Whitesell expressed optimism about elementary students returning to classrooms by next week, contingent upon clearance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The timeline for older students’ return remains uncertain.
Health authorities are concerned about potential asbestos contamination beyond the school premises, prompting ongoing tests by the EPA. DEQ officials are conducting door-to-door inspections to ensure community safety.
Asbestos, a mineral used in various building materials, poses severe health risks when airborne, potentially leading to chronic conditions like cancer and asbestosis.
While the school’s interior has been restored, officials are cautious about reopening until public health experts confirm safety. Whitesell indicated that this process could take weeks, depending on findings.
Support from federal and state officials, including Governor Greg Gianforte’s office and the Montana Office of Public Instruction, has been instrumental. Whitesell highlighted the assistance in facilitating remote learning, reminiscent of the COVID-19 outbreak adaptations.
Financially, the district faces mounting costs, with expenses for the new gym roof and asbestos abatement reaching $1.5 million. While insurance may cover some costs, the total remains uncertain.
Inquiries to Gianforte’s office regarding support were met with no response. However, regional Federal Emergency Management Agency officials have offered to pursue a federal presidential declaration for additional aid to the district, which serves 171 students.
The incident’s timing, coinciding with holiday preparations, highlighted the community’s resilience and willingness to minimize educational disruption.
Stillwater County’s Role
Amidst the ongoing efforts, the Stillwater County Board of Commissioners issued an ultimatum to the school district. A January 8 letter demanded the cleanup of asbestos from surrounding areas by January 12, threatening to undertake the work and charge the district if not completed.
The letter asserted that the asbestos originated from the Park City School District, thus making it responsible for cleanup on county property.
In response, Whitesell addressed the commission’s demands in a letter on the imposed deadline. He detailed the district’s remediation efforts and questioned the county’s timeline, emphasizing reliance on DEQ guidance rather than county directives.
“I don’t think their take on that was correct,” Whitesell commented. “We found that kind of offensive that they expected us to be cleared in four days.”
