WorkSafeBC has increased a fine against the New Westminster School Board for what it calls a "reckless disregard for asbestos danger to students," during school demolition work nearly two years ago.

Asbestos dust was released during pre-demolition site work in April 2005 at New Westminster Secondary, which had been built back in the 1950s.

Workers broke through floorboards in one classroom and released a cloud of dust laced with asbestos. Officials confirmed the dust was dangerous and sealed off the area.

The school board was originally fined $52,000, but appealed the decision and the fine.

Now, following a review, the original ruling has been upheld and the fine increased to $75,000, it was revealed Monday.

Ruth Minto, the president of the New Westminster Teachers' Union, said members who work at the school were concerned about the incident.

"Thinking back, I think they were a little bit nervous, very nervous. And I think sort of afterwards, they were satisfied that it got shut down fairly quickly, but they weren't very pleased about the fact that there could have been, or was, asbestos in this cloud that they witnessed."

School board vice-chair James Janzen said the district has changed the way it performs demolitions on old buildings, operating on the assumption that asbestos could be in every part of older schools.

Janzen also said New Westminster Secondary will not be torn down until a new school is built, so there will be no danger to teachers or students in any future demolition.