[FONT=Verdana]The discovery of more asbestos than anticipated in the interior walls of the old Montgomery Junior High School in Montgomery, TX will increase the cost of demolishing the structure from the budgeted $375,000 to a total of $771,000, trustees learned at this weeks MISD board meeting.[/FONT]
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"We were aware of minimal amounts of asbestos from our survey of the building," Rob Goff, assistant superintendent of finance and operations, told MISD board members. "But as we examined the space between the bricks and the walls, it was clear we had a much larger problem."[/FONT]
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The 84,000-square foot building, built in 1983, is being torn down to construct a new Ninth Grade Center that will expand the capacity of Montgomery High School. Officials originally had considered renovating the former junior high school building, but determined it was more cost efficient to replace it with a new building.[/FONT]
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"Bringing an older building up to code and upgrading old wiring, plumbing and air systems would be more expensive than starting over," Goff said. "With the discovery of asbestos, the cost of renovation would be far greater."[/FONT]
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Previously a common insulation and fire retardant coating in industrial construction, asbestos has been linked to a number of severe diseases and pulmonary disorders caused by inhaling its fibers. Renovation and demolition of buildings containing asbestos are subject to strict Environmental Protection Agency regulations.[/FONT]
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"Asbestos is basically costing us $400,000 more than expected," said trustee Jill Vaughn. [/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana]"It's important we find a way to cover this in the overall project budget."

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[FONT=Verdana]Goff explained the MISD officials were already addressing the situation by reviewing construction plans for the new building and determining where opportunities for cost-savings exist.[/FONT]
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"It's equally important we make sure all legal issues, paperwork and documentation are addressed properly," said trustee Mark Corson. "Asbestos issues change everything."[/FONT]