Dear Parents, Students, Faculty, and Staff,

During an emergency meeting last evening, the Scranton School Board of Directors were presented with a recommendation by the Administration to close Robert Morris Elementary School for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year. The recommendation was based on options presented by the district’s environmental consultant Pennoni Associates. The recommendation was a result of recently discovered asbestos insulation above the second-floor ceiling of one of the school’s wings. The discovery was made
during a survey by the HVAC contractor and an immediate response ensued. The School Board of Directors decided to follow Administration’s recommendation and close Robert Morris.

After attempts to abate the material over the weekend and due to the extensive damage of said material and its unknown origin, the board was presented with two options. The first option detailed that the material could be managed in place for the reminder of the year, allowing students, staff, and faculty to remain in the building. The second option would have to include the removal of the ceiling area of approximately 5,000 square feet, resulting in a closure of at least 4 weeks, requiring the relocation of staff and students to alternative schools while renovations, constructions, and abatement
work are performed.

After careful consideration the district chose option two, which is the relocation of students and staff to neighborhood elementary schools John Adams Elementary and Neil Armstrong Elementary, keeping grade sections together. This decision was made solely based on the concern for safety of the students, faculty, and staff of Robert Morris Elementary. The district informed teachers last evening that they could use today’s scheduled in-service day to obtain their personal and educational materials to be
relocated to their corresponding schools. The district’s environmental consultant has communicated to the Board and Administration that the building is safe to enter in order to retrieve belongings, however, they felt the conditions were not preferred for long term occupancy. It was also noted that the air quality samples received last evening, May 15th, at 8:25pm passed the USEPA criteria for reoccupancy.

The Board and the Administration sympathize with the confusion and frustration this disruption is causing the Robert Morris community; however, the decision to relocate came with an abundance of caution for the safety of our students and staff.

Specific details of the relocation plan are expected to be released later today. This will include grade level building assignments, transportation, instructional and support services, food service, and other possible frequently asked questions the community may have which will be continually updated on the website as more information is released.

 

Sincerely,

</s>

Melissa McTiernan
Superintendent of Schools

 

PDF of Above Message