PUBLIC NOTICE

"Notice is hereby given that the annual inspection for 2009 of the school buildings of South Seneca Central School District for fire hazards which might endanger the lives of students, teachers, employees therein, has been completed and the reports thereof are available at the office of Director of Facilities at the Bus Garage at 7623 Main Street, Ovid, NY for inspection by all interested persons."

PUBLIC NOTICE

Annual Notification of Availability of Asbestos Documents

In the past, asbestos was used extensively in building materials because of its insulating, sound absorbing, and fire retarding capabilities. Virtually any building constructed before the late 1970s contained some asbestos. Intact and undisturbed asbestos materials generally do not pose a health risk. Asbestos materials, however, can become hazardous when, if due to damage or deterioration over time, they release fibers. If the fibers are inhaled, they can lead to health problems such as cancer and asbestosis.

In 1986, Congress passed the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). AHERA requires schools to be inspected to identify any asbestos containing building materials (ACBM). Suspected ACBM were located, sampled (or assumed) and rated according to condition and potential hazard. Every three years since that initial inspection, the South Seneca Central School District has conducted a reinspection to determine whether the condition of the known or assumed ACBM has changed and to make recommendations on managing or removing the ACBM. At the last reinspection conducted during the spring of 2007, all materials listed in the Management Plan as asbestos containing (or assumed to be asbestos containing) were inspected and found to be in satisfactory condition. Any ACBM which deteriorates in condition to the point where it becomes unsatisfactory will be abated, or removed.

The law further requires an asbestos management plan to be in place by July 1989. The South Seneca Central School District developed a plan, as required, which has been continually updated. The plan has several ongoing requirements: publish a notification on management plan availability and the status of asbestos activities; educate and train its employees about asbestos and how to deal with it; notify short-term or temporary workers on the locations of the ACBM; post warning labels in routine maintenance areas where asbestos was previously identified or assumed; follow set plans and procedures designed to minimize the disturbance of ACBM; and survey the condition of these materials every six months to make sure that they remain in good condition. This notification, in part, fulfills some of these requirements.

It is the intention of the South Seneca Central School District to comply with all federal and state regulations controlling asbestos and to take whatever steps are necessary to provide students and employees a healthy and safe environment in which to learn and work. You are welcome to review a copy of the asbestos management plans which are located in the office of the Director of Facilities, during regular business hours. All inquiries regarding the asbestos plan and asbestos-related issues should be directed to Paul Brown, the AHERA Designated Person, at 607-869-9636 ext. 4107.