ARCHIVE: Asbestos Remediation

• In the summer of 2025, during construction and renovation projects at Williamsport High School (WHS), a limited amount of asbestos fibers were discovered in areas of the building, both inside and outside the sealed mitigation area.
• Additional air sampling confirmed the presence of asbestos fibers in other areas of the building.
• The school was subsequently closed, and construction activity halted.

• Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) immediately authorized additional air sampling and began working closely with certified environmental consultants, including Boggs Environmental Consultants (BEC), to remediate the affected areas.
• WCPS coordinated with the Maryland Department of the Environment, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH), and the Washington County Health Department to ensure all necessary precautions were taken.
• Abatement measures were initiated, and a five-step cleaning process was developed to clean the contents of the school, including direct air stream, HEPA vacuuming, wet wiping, visual inspection, and testing. Items that cannot be cleaned, such as ceiling tiles and paper products, are being disposed of.
• WCPS explored alternative locations for in-person learning for all students but found no viable properties that could accommodate over 900 students and provide a suitable learning environment.
• A community webpage was established to share accurate information with the wider Washington County community.
• WCPS launched additional support for student engagement, including 90 minutes daily for athletics, clubs, band, and in-person tutoring at Springfield Middle School and other designated locations.
• Surveys were distributed to gauge community interest in an in-person learning option where students would attend classes at other county high schools or the University System of Maryland at Hagerstown (USMH).

• WHS began the 2025-2026 school year with virtual learning, with students participating in online classes from home via Google Meet and assignments managed through Google Classroom.
• The virtual learning schedule follows an A-day/B-day rotation with four class periods each day (9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.), followed by an Activities & Support Block from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Select students, including those with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), 504 Plans, multilingual learners, or those experiencing housing instability, may participate in in-person learning at USMH.
• All students will be provided with a Chromebook, and support for internet access will be available for families in need.
• School meals will be provided for online students via grab-and-go pickup at the WHS stadium parking lot. In-person students at USMH will receive free breakfast and lunch.
• Homecoming events, including the football game and dance, are scheduled for September 26 and 27, 2025, at the WHS Stadium and Williamsport Elementary gym, respectively.
• Outdoor fall athletic events will continue at the WHS stadium, and most volleyball games will be held at Hagerstown Community College's ARCC.
• Community hubs are available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at various locations for students to participate in online classes with peers and receive support from WHS staff.
• The asbestos remediation process is expected to last through the first two marking periods of the school year, with a full cleaning, remediation, and monitoring plan being developed. Other construction projects, such as HVAC replacement, floor tile replacements, kitchen modification, and electrical distribution replacement, will be completed after decontamination.

 

WORK AREAS IN THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE DEFINED AS: 

• WORK AREA 1: Lower Level Classroom Wing (south-side)
  (Room Numbers 168–197)
• WORK AREA 2: Lower Level Classrooms (north-side) and Shop Hallway
  (Room Numbers 140–167, 169, 170–172)
• WORK AREA 3: Kitchen and Cafeteria
• WORK AREA 4: Upper Level Classrooms (south-side)
  (Room Numbers 231–274, 283 & 284)
• WORK AREA 5: Upper Level Classrooms (north-side), Main Office, and Auditorium
  (Room Numbers 204–230, 276–281, 285–302)

FINAL AIR CLEARANCE RESULTS
– After Resuming HVAC Operations (01/18/26)

LOWER-LEVEL GYM
– Post Duct Cleaning Air Quality Test Results (11/04/25)

LOWER-LEVEL GYM 
– Final Air Clearance Letter (11/06/25)

WORK AREA 1
– Post Duct Cleaning Air Quality Test Results (11/12/25)

WORK AREA 1
– Final Air Clearance Letter (11/14/25)

WORK AREA 2
– Post Duct Cleaning Air Quality Test Results (11/24/25)

WORK AREA 2
– Final Air Clearance Letter (11/27/24)

WORK AREA 3
– Post Duct Cleaning Air Quality Test Results (11/25/25)

WORK AREA 3
– Final Air Clearance Letter (11/27/25)

WORK AREA 4
– Post Duct Cleaning Air Quality Test Results (12/12/25)

WORK AREA 4
– Final Air Clearance Letter (12/14/25)

WORK AREA 5
– Post Duct Cleaning Air Quality Test Results (12/23/25)

WORK AREA 5
– Final Air Clearance Letter (12/30/25)