Monroe Public Schools temporarily closes Custer I after construction crews find asbestos

Monroe News Staff Report
·2 min read
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Monroe Public Schools logo

UPDATE: Custer I will be closed Friday "out of an abundance of caution and in the highest regard for school community safety," Monroe Public Schools said in a press release issued Thursday night.

"Custer I students will not have classes on Friday, June 10, 2022," the statement read. "Custer II will follow the Half Day schedule that is planned district-wide for the final day of school. Families will be notified next week regarding directions to pick up items that students may have left behind. Please watch your email for future communications."

ORIGINAL STORY FOLLOWS:

One of Monroe Public Schools' elementary buildings had to close early Thursday after construction crews inside the building encountered material containing asbestos.

Students and staff in the district's Custer I building, located at 5003 West Albain Rd., in Monroe, were dismissed around midday after what the district termed a "very small amount of asbestos" was encountered by crews beginning to prepare areas of the building for construction this summer.

The district said that, per state and federal guidelines, no students or staff are believed to have been exposed to any harmful substances due to the incident.

"Out of an abundance of caution and in the highest regard for our school community safety, we immediately moved students and staff out of Custer I and have arranged for an early dismissal," read a statement from the district. "Parent pick-up may begin immediately. Students from Custer I will remain outside. Students will be dismissed on buses at 12:30 p.m. Please arrange for an adult to meet your student at his or her bus stop."

Custer II, located at 5001 West Albain Rd., remained on its normal schedule.

The district said that environmental experts would be on site shortly to evaluate whether the building could be reopened, and to what capacity, on Friday.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Custer I Elementary closed after construction crews find asbestos