Brunswick schoolyard cleanup done

The Glynn County Board of Education learned Tuesday night that workers have finished removing contaminated soil from the schoolyard and will complete related sod and landscaping work early in the week.

"We've hauled off 3,500 tons of contaminated soil ... I think we've put this thing to bed once and for all. I think we're going to be fine unless something crazy happens," Al Boudreau, school district facilities director, told the board.

"I think we will be able to open the school on time with very little fanfare," Boudreau said.

The cleanup began July 5 after soil testing in June revealed the schoolyard dirt contained a chemical residue -- benzo(a)pyrene.

The residue results from the incomplete burning of substances ranging from coal, oil and gasoline to meat. Lifetime exposure to high concentrations of the substance can cause cancer and other health problems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The chemical residue apparently was in fill dirt and topsoil trucked in when the original building was torn down in 1997 and replaced with the current school, according to officials with EMC Engineering Services, hired by the board to oversee the soil testing and cleanup.

Goodyear has about 450 students, plus 80 teachers and staff. There is no evidence that any students or staff have gotten sick from exposure to the contaminated dirt, authorities have said.

Boudreau estimated that the final cost for the cleanup will be between $175,000 and $180,000.

The school board previously had authorized spending up to $175,000 for the cleanup.

Board Chairwoman LaVerne Cooper after the meeting said the panel is awaiting a report from Assistant Superintendent Delacy Sanford and board attorney Andrew Lakin about the possibility of obtaining reimbursement for cleanup "from those responsible for providing the contaminated soil to the school."

"Until now, our first priority had been to get rid of the contaminated soil, make sure the school is safe and open it in time for the start of school on Aug. 10," Cooper said.

Board member Earl Perry praised Boudreau and workers for accomplishing the cleanup so quickly. Boudreau then received a standing ovation from the board and district administrators led by board member Mark Newman.