Resumption of classes delayed at King school

By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer

Students of King Intermediate School will get an extra two days of winter break after officials determined that more time will be needed for asbestos cleanup and testing at the Kane'ohe school.

The school will reopen Jan. 13, Schools Superintendent Pat Hamamoto announced yesterday. The Department of Education had initially anticipated that testing and cleanup would be completed by the end of winter break Tuesday.

The delay was caused by bad weather last week, Hamamoto said.

The school was closed Dec. 14, three days before winter break, after tests revealed asbestos in several buildings on campus. More than 150 parents attended an informational meeting at the school.

The DOE had previously closed two buildings at King after asbestos dust was discovered in November while workers were sanding the exteriors for painting.

Hamamoto, in a written statement, said teachers and staff now will report to the King Intermediate Library on Monday for meetings. Final test results are in for the library and indicate no evidence of contaminants, according to the release.

Richard Soo of the DOE's safety and security services section said the extra time will ensure that final test results are in and that the cleanup has been completed before children return to the classrooms.

Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.