Goodyear Soil is Safe

The Brunswick News

State officials say the grounds around Goodyear Elementary School no longer pose a health hazard to students and school employees.

David Reuland, who is with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Hazardous Sites Response Program, notified the school system in a letter dated Aug. 8 that no conditions exist at the Goodyear Elementary School that would pose a significant health risk.

The declaration comes after the school system conducted soil tests, followed by soil replacement work, over the summer. The tests were sparked by a health advisory that declared Goodyear an indeterminate health hazard earlier this year due to the presence of potentially toxic chemicals in the school's soil.

"With guidance from environmental professionals, we removed more than 3,500 tons of soil from the school grounds, replaced it with clean soil and laid a cover of Bermuda grass," said Al Boudreau, director of Glynn County school facilities. "It was quite an undertaking to complete the work in such a short period of time, but we are pleased that we got it done in time for school opening and that the EPD has approved the site for occupancy."

The Environmental Protection Division clearance was especially good news to Goodyear assistant principal Karen Byrd. She said she is happy that the children will no longer be forced to play in the school's gymnasium or at a nearby public park, as they were at the end of the last school year.

The new school year starts Wednesday.

"It's wonderful to know that our students will be able to utilize our playground and the school grounds for physical education and other activities," Byrd said.