Arizona Fines Charter Schools for Asbestos Violations

October 9, 2006 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been cracking down on Arizona’s many charter schools, says an article in the Arizona Republic.  To date, five of the state’s numerous charter schools have been cited for asbestos violations including failure to conduct asbestos inspections and/or failure to have adequate asbestos-management plans as required by federal law, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1987.

“Arizona has more than 500 charter schools and many hold classes in older buildings, which tend to have more asbestos," said Ron Tsuchiya, asbestos coordinator for the EPA's Southwest region. "Of the charter schools that we've done spot checks on, none were in compliance."

Thus far, Summit High School, GateWay Early College High School, Friendly House Academia Del Pueblo Elementary School, Arizona School for the Arts, and Vicki A. Romero High School, have all been fined $11, 700.  According to the article, the schools will be allowed to deduct the costs of complying with the regulation from the fine.

Most public schools in Arizona, noted an EPA spokesperson, have long been in compliance with asbestos regulations, but this is not the case with charter schools, who often seek classroom space in older structures not originally designed for use as an educational institution.  Charter school officials may also not be savvy about asbestos rules. 

That’s why the EPA is currently focusing on charter schools, including those in Phoenix and Tucson and will likely expand efforts to other states, including California, said Tsuchiya..