Little Wound Middle school building closed due to asbestos, demolition planned

The affected Little Wound Middle School is behind their LWS High School Campus area KYLE — One of Little Wound Middle School's building has been closed due to the finding of asbestos.

The potential damage level was at a 5 on a scale of 1 to 7, which is a health hazard.

There are two buildings that make up the middle school.

The asbestos was found in the tin building which has utilized three rooms for classrooms, Middle School central office personnel, counselors and the safe schools officer.

The findings came from a re-inspection report by the Bureau of Indian Education. Clint May, Little Wound School's facilities manager, alerted the Superintendent and the school board to the asbestos findings.

The Little Wound School board met on Feb. 28 and took action to close the building and relocate the classrooms.

An emergency conference call was held with the Norma Tibbits, BIE line officer for Pine Ridge and the facility manager for the Pine Ridge area and Little Wound School Administration to develop a plan of action for relocation.

The Little Wound School Administration and Human Resource offices were moved to other areas on campus and their offices will be used by the middle school.

The high school moved one of their classrooms that were housed in the portable classrooms back into the main building, giving that classroom space to middle school to use.

Paula Pourier, business manager, said the school was informed on Tuesday, March 3 and an air quality test was completed that has shown no asbestos was airborne. She said there will be retesting done in other areas of the school.

Six additional portable classrooms will be requested to BIE and additional funding for the infrastructure of the portables and for the demolition of the affected middle school building.

Asbestos is a fiber that is used in insulations and has been banned from being used. Asbestos is commonly used as an acoustic insulator as in insulation, fire proofing and other building materials.

Many products in use today contain asbestos.

Asbestos when airborne when after being damaged or disturbed can get into the air and can cause health problems.

The School Administration had emphasized that students were safe, the last test has shown no asbestos has been airborne.

Follow-up communication will be provided to parents and the community.