Parents of students at Tempe Union High School received a letter this week that told them the school has now tested negative for asbestos, however, information on the school district’s website tells them otherwise.

An article in the Arizona Republic noted that in May, the district website reported that “of the 49 samples collected from the identified areas, 10 were found to be positive for asbestos content.”

The asbestos was found in pipe insulation in canopy areas outside the school, in piping above the ceiling tiles in the school’s cafeteria hallway and in outdoor canopy roofing areas, according to a report submitted by Prime Consulting, Inc.

Linda Littell, a district spokeswoman, said asbestos has now been removed but parents seem to doubt the veracity of the statement given the seriousness of the problem reported on the website.

“I think they’re trying to gloss over and cover up the information,” said parent DeAnne Clowes. “They’ve tested that one area and found asbestos and cleaned it; that’s what they should have told parents.”

Clowes battled district officials to get the asbestos report posted on the website. After discussions with several district higher-ups, it was finally posted and has been available for parents to review. Clowes notes that the school is also facing serious problems with mold and elevated carbon dioxide problems, further complicating the process of cleaning up the building.

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