March 21, 2025 – Construction on the Connersville High School (CHS) natatorium renovation project has encountered a brief delay due to the discovery of asbestos-containing materials. During a routine inspection, floor tiles in an office adjacent to the pool area tested positive for asbestos.
Fayette County School Corporation Superintendent Jeremy Duncan released a statement today assuring the community that the situation is under control and poses minimal risk. The asbestos identified is in a non-friable state, meaning it is not easily crumbled or airborne. This significantly reduces the potential for exposure and health hazards.
“While any discovery of asbestos is taken seriously, it’s important to understand that non-friable asbestos presents a very low risk under normal circumstances,” Duncan stated. “Buildings constructed during the same period as Connersville High School commonly contained asbestos in various building materials.”
Despite the low risk, the school corporation is taking immediate and comprehensive action. A licensed asbestos abatement contractor has been engaged to remove the affected tiles. This remediation process will be conducted in full compliance with all regulations set forth by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The abatement is expected to take two to three days. During this time, an independent environmental consulting firm will conduct continuous air quality monitoring within the building to ensure the safety of students, staff, and visitors.
Duncan emphasized the school corporation’s commitment to transparency and safety. “We are taking every precaution to ensure that this situation is handled properly and that the health of our school community is protected. We will continue to provide updates as needed.”
The pool renovation project is expected to resume immediately following the completion of the asbestos abatement.
Parents, guardians, and staff members with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact Superintendent Jeremy Duncan directly at (765) 825-2178.
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