The Salem-Keizer School District and three mid-valley contractors were fined last month by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for a June 2006 asbestos removal project at Grant Elementary School, located at 725 Market St. NE.

The DEQ fined the district $4,500 for allowing an unlicensed contractor to perform an asbestos abatement project during kitchen remodel at the school, and allowing open accumulation of asbestos-containing waste materials.

The DEQ also fined A Plus Drywall Inc. $1,800 for conducting an asbestos project (demolition work at Grant Elementary School) on June 19th, 2006, creating the potential for asbestos fiber release.

And, the DEQ fined Penetrations Inc. $1,800 for conducting an asbestos abatement project (cutting vinyl asbestos floor at Grant Elementary School) on June 20th, without being licensed.

The DEQ fined Woodburn Construction Co. $1,800 for allowing a person other than an asbestos abatement contractor to perform an asbestos abatement project (demolishing a wall at Grant Elementary School, and creating the potential for asbestos fiber release) on June 19th.

According to the DEQ, the company did not respond to a Jan. 8th appeal deadline.