Document 6Zraa13yzMpBRGpe4ba3kDv9

PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT UC-1962 RONDOUT VALLEY PRESS NEWS RELEASE - NEWS MEDIA An announcement concerning the possible danger to occupants in buildings which had a ceiling finish of sprayed-on, ground asbestos wash glue, received national attention on January 4, 1977. This attention related to conditions in a school district in New Jersey. When this information reached the Rondout Valley Central School District, Donald McLean, Superintendent of buildings and grounds, and Dr. James O'Connel, Superintendent of schools, immediately initiated the following to insure that district buildings posed no threat to the health and safety of those who use them: 1. All buildings in the district were inspected by Mr. McLean on January 4. Only the high school was found to have the potential of being an asbestos problem. 2. The State Education Department was contacted and guidance requested con cerning the possible high school problem on January 5. 3. The district received correspondence from Deputy Commissioner Thomas D Sheldon on January 7 concerning this matter. 4. Continued contacts were initiated by the district with appropriate agencies and authorities on both a state and national level to develop correct procedures for dealing with the problem. 5. On January 15, the district acquired the services of a consultant to conduct the needed testing and examination of our high school. 6. The consultant's initial report was presented to the Board of Education on January 19. 7. On January 20, the district concluded arrangements to have a second set of tests conducted in the high school. 8. These test results were completed on January 21 in a report presented to the superintendent of schools. | cont'd I I I BRG 0444 RONDOUT VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL PRESS NEWS RELEASE - NEWS MEDIA: The tests were conducted by Dr. Martin S. Rutstein, Chairman, Department of Geological Sciences, State University College at New Paltz. The first indicated that the ceilings were, in part, made of Chrysotile (asbestos) and that the original state of this material had lost integrity. The second test indicated an ambient air concentration of .15 to .17 fibers per milliliter of air. The Board of Education, in fulfilling its responsibility to guarantee the health and safety of the children and with concern for its employees, declared the situation an emergency on January 25, 1977. KRC RESEARCH CORPORATION OF MOORESTOWN, NEW JERSEY, was consulted. This firm is the developer and manufacturer of Hydro-Ban Polygard, a treatment which when applied properly, permanently seals the ceiling. This process renders the fibrous air count to a level which permits safe use of the facilities. KRC has been contracted to initiate the application of this process. In order to facilitate the resealing of the asbestos within the ceiling, the high school will close for two days, January 27 and 28. The con tractor has guaranteed completion of his task by Monday, January 31. On that date, the school will reopen. During that two day period all high school staff will be housed in the middle school. They will be provided inservice opportunities as well as opportunities to share instructional and curricular experiences with the middle school staff. We appreciate all your cooperation during this time. BRG 0445