Asbestos found in local elementary school; parents, school officials call for new building

TIPP CITY — Asbestos has been found in a local elementary school as the district pushes for a new school.

As reported on News Center 7 at 11, School officials confirmed abestos was found in the gym at Broadway Elementary School in Tipp City after a leak in the roof.

>> Inappropriate message on bathroom wall of local high school leads to investigation

The school, and other buildings in the district, date back to the 1950s meaning many have asbestos inside their walls and ceilings, according to Superintendent Aaron Moran.

The Gaithers have a daughter who is a student in part of the building.

They know abestos is in the school, but the leak does make them nervous.

“As long as it’s not touched, it’s fine. But this has now been touched. This is a little concerning, it’s now broken through the ceiling,” Chrissy Gaither said.

Moran spoke to News Center 7 after a meeting held Wednesday night to go over a new kindergarten through eighth-grade school.

Which the Gaithers are all for.

“We need new schools now,” Chrissy said.

>> 500 checks, postal service key, stolen mail found in apartment; Dayton man sentenced

“it’s not just the age and the condition of the building it’s the fact we’ve outgrown it,” Steve said.

They want to send their young children to a school where semi-annual checks for toxic materials are not necessary.

The district must wait to see if voters will pass a levy in March to pay for a new school.

“If it were to pass in March, we would look at an opening date of August of 2027,” Moran said.

The Gaithers are not only thinking about their daughter’s future but their young child who will be a future student.

“We’ve got a 4-month-old baby so it’s not just for our oldest, but it’s for her so by the time the schools are built, she’ll have a fresh start,” Steve said.

The gym will stay closed at Broadway Elementary until the water dries, experts can test the area and crews can repair the roof.

News Center 7 will continue to update this story.

©2024 Cox Media Group