February 17, 2021
RE: Recurring
facility issues at Hubbard Avenue Elementary School
Hello Families of Hubbard Elementary,
Thank you very much for your continued patience regarding the facility
issues at Hubbard Avenue Elementary School. We continue to work on
finding a resolution. At this point, our short-term fixes have not worked
in the manner we had hoped.
The primary reason for the building emergency is leaks
found in the piping associated with the boiler system in the school.
Repair workers have attempted to fix the leaks with clamps and patches and a
section of piping was replaced. It is complicated work as much of the
piping is found in tunnels beneath the school. We have found that when a
series of leaks are repaired, new leaks can arise. These leaks exist
through very small pinholes in the piping.
Before the work on the piping, independent testing was done
in the tunnel areas for the presence of asbestos in the pipe insulation for the
heating system. These results showed no presence of asbestos.
When leaks exist, moisture builds up in the surrounding air
and on the walls. This can result in the growth of mold. To ensure
proper air quality, testing has been performed by officials from “Research
& Productivity Council” (RPC) for the presence of different types of molds
in the air. This testing was primarily in the tunnel and associated areas
close to where the heating system was disabled. Testing was also done in
a variety of spaces around the school to ensure the safety of staff and
students upon return to school once repairs are completed. WorkSafe NB
has also contributed to the process. At this time, the results are in
line with Health Canada guidelines and give us no cause for concern for the
safety of the educational environments for staff and students. We are
watching for another set of tests to come in.
Our continued concern is that the heating system will get
repaired only to spring new leaks in the days that follow. Officials from
the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) and the
Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DTI) have been working with
Anglophone West Facility staff and experts from the private sector to get a
handle on the extent of the problem. We will need to determine if a
better fix can be put in place that will allow for a dependable return to
school or if we need to examine other options. We will also need to think
about a long-term plan. I know that making “2-day decisions” is not beneficial
for anyone.
As school principal Bev Loker-French noted earlier today,
remote learning will need to continue for the rest of this week. While I
won’t confirm it this evening, there is a possibility that remote learning will
need to be extended into next week, leading us to March Break. While I
apologize for this inconvenience, I want to share this possibility now so that
arrangements can be considered in advance.
I offer my gratitude to the staff of Hubbard who are doing their best to
maintain meaningful learning experiences for all students at Hubbard. I
know this isn’t easy.
We will maintain communications with you as information becomes
available. The safety of students and staff will always be the
priority.
Sincerely,
David McTimoney,
Superintendent, ASD-W