An asbestos scare in high school aired in Jackson

By John Vandiver
Toms River Bureau
Asbury Park Press

JACKSON — They've dubbed it the "Cancer Wing," and students say the air there smells different than the other hallways at Jackson Memorial High School.

Then there were the handful of teachers who a few months ago were wearing masks in school, fueling speculation that asbestos was on the loose, students say.

Then, about two weeks ago, a student found EPA documents in the teachers lounge, which included a variety of citations detailing lapses in asbestos removal protocol at the school.

"I found them myself. I was shocked and appalled. These documents scare the crap out of all of us," said junior Tom Ranzweiler, who's part of a group of students de-manding more information from district administrators.

At Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, Jackson Memorial teachers and students shared their worries regarding an asbestos scare stemming from an ongoing renovation project at the school. During the meeting, administrators sought to assure the school community that conditions at the school are safe.

The Rest of the Story