When: Lampeter-Strasburg school board buildings and grounds and workshop meeting, Feb. 18.
What happened: As part of the ongoing renovation project at Martin Meylin Middle School, workers discovered asbestos underneath some bulletin boards and chalkboards, Glenn Davis, buildings and grounds director, said.
Background: Renovations to the middle school started at the beginning of the school year and will last at least until the summer of 2026, according to the district website.
Cost: The cost to remove the asbestos in the first phase of the project is estimated at $75,000.
Next steps: The board will vote on the removal at the March 3 meeting, Anne Harnish, spokesperson, said after the meeting.
Early Childhood Center: The board voted to approve a change order for the the gym floor at the Early Childhood Center, as the floor seams were not straight and the product was peeling. Abacus Sports quoted the disposal of the old floor and installation of a new floor at $97,167. Solara Flooring Group installed the original floor. The district will receive a credit of $80,707 for the old floor.
Playground: The Early Childhood Center is also requiring additional stormwater drainage under the playground, Davis said. The board will vote on the change order of $5,900 at the March 3 meeting.
Personnel: The board voted to appoint Michele Westphal as assistant superintendent, replacing Andrew Godfrey who is retiring June 30. Westphal will start in her role July 1. She is currently the principal for the Early Childhood Center and Lampeter Elementary School. In her new position, she will be compensated $150,000 for the 2025-26 school year. Her contract will expire June 30, 2030. The district has posted an advertisement for her current position on the district website.
What’s next: The board will meet for a regular board meeting at 7:30 p.m. March 3.
