Groveport Madison board approves radon mitigation under 'urgent necessity' after heated debate

The Groveport Madison Local School District Board of Education voted on June 16 to approve a resolution declaring an "urgent necessity" to proceed with radon mitigation work at multiple district buildings, a move administrators said was required to complete abatement during the summer and before the start of the school year.

The vote followed a lengthy presentation by administrators describing districtwide radon testing that began last winter after a high reading in a single room at Dunlow Elementary. Superintendent and staff described follow-up testing, the need to complete asbestos inspections before any mitigation, and proposals from multiple contractors for testing, design and abatement.

Board members pressed administrators on procurement choices and cost. One member said the total package could exceed $300,000 once asbestos removal and electrical work are included and argued competitive bids should be sought rather than using an urgent-necessity exception to avoid the bidding process. Administrators responded that attorneys had advised urgent necessity was a legitimate path given timing constraints and the difficulty of scheduling complex remediation while school is in session.

Grace Wagner, the district's newly appointed director of teaching, learning and accountability, did not take part in the procurement discussion but was introduced earlier in the meeting and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to join the district.

The roll call at the time the resolution was read recorded a yes from Mrs. Dberger, an abstention from Mrs. Zimmer, a yes from Mrs. Herbert and a no from Mr. Kushner. The transcript records those votes; other roll-call responses were recorded earlier in the meeting for related personnel motions. Administrators said the work would be paid from the district's Building and Capital Improvements fund, not the general operating fund.

Administrators also described the parties involved: Gandandy (radon testing and design), Ohio Technical Services (abatement contractor), and a separate firm for asbestos abatement; they noted the firms' sequencing needs and the required post‑mitigation testing. Board members requested that post‑installation testing be arranged in a cooler season to confirm mitigations under a heavier heat load.

The board's vote marks the district's decision to move forward this summer with a combined mitigation and asbestos scope rather than delay to conduct a separate competitive bid process, a choice board members said weighed speed and student/staff disruption against potentially lower cost through bids.

Next steps, according to district staff, include finalizing vendor engagement and scheduling mitigation and post‑mitigation testing. The transcript shows the board continued with routine business after the vote.