Two Huntington Beach elementary schools remained closed Tuesday for asbestos testing after concerns were raised during a summer modernization project.
Oak View and Hope View elementary schools were closed for two days while the school district completed testing for the cancer-causing material.
Results are expected to be announced sometime Tuesday, and the school board will meet Tuesday night to discuss the findings.
The principal at Oak View sent a letter to parents, who noticed that construction was continuing after the school year started and were concerned about the risks to children.
“The district's independent certified experts have validated that there is no asbestos in our classrooms. Regular asbestos inspections have taken place as required by law. At Hope, testing occurred after asbestos abatement this summer. All asbestos tests have confirmed that no asbestos has been found and that this is no risk at the school,” Carrie Haskin wrote in the letter sent to parents last week.
Haskin said the testing was being done to assure parents the school is safe.
“To help ease the anxiety that parents are feeling we have ordered additional testing to take place this weekend. In our abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily close Hope View Monday and Tuesday as we wait for the additional test results to be completed and that they have confirmed that no asbestos is present and that there is no risk,” Haskin said in her statement to parents.
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Testing is taking place in every classroom at all 11 of the district’s campuses, but only the two elementary schools were closed.
Results are expected to be posted on the district website.
