Upper Darby School District outlines summer 2025 asbestos abatement, flooring and furniture replacements

Marvin Lee, director of operations for the Upper Darby School District, told the finance and operations committee the district will carry out a multi-school asbestos abatement and facilities program during summer 2025, supported in part by a state grant.

"We are removing all confirmed asbestos that is accessible," Lee said, stressing that crews will not demolish walls to reach inaccessible material but will abate what can be safely removed. He said Hillrest, Gafford, Westbrook Park and Beverly Hills schools are the primary sites and that the district secured about $1.78 million from a state grant to support the initiative.

Lee said asbestos-containing floor tiles and the adhesive between tile and concrete will be removed and replaced; because many schools also need new flooring, the district will adopt a standard tile color and pattern across schools to streamline inventory and future purchases. The administration plans to install rubber gym pads and pour polyurethane for gym floors at Hillrest, Gafford and Westbrook Park.

The district will also purchase more than 7,000 classroom and instructor furniture pieces so schools do not have to return old furniture to rooms after floor replacement. Lee said competitive state contracts and additional negotiated discounts reduced tile costs substantially.

Board members asked whether the $1.78 million grant covered furniture; administration clarified the grant supports environmental repairs and is exclusive of the furniture purchases. Committee members also pressed timing and contingency planning; Lee said projects will be sequenced so instructional spaces are prioritized and observed that there is a construction risk that could require schedule adjustments.

The presentation also noted other summer work: HVAC replacement at Beverly Hills Middle School and Primus Elementary (main office and selected wings), and deferred, "shovel-ready" projects (toilet renovations and high-school window work) postponed because of budget and operational constraints. The facilities team said public bidding has been completed for some systems and that the district will re-open bids for postponed projects when market conditions and budget allow.

Lee concluded by noting the facilities condition assessment (completed in 2023) will be updated onto architectural drawings and color-coded by condition to preserve institutional knowledge before key staff retire. The committee also recognized long-serving maintenance manager Tim Leaf and purchasing supervisor Joe McGillbury, both slated to retire in July.