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MAY 9, 2024
WILLISTON’S NEWSPAPER SINCE 1985
Elevated PCB levels found at WCS District works on mitigation plan BY JASON STARR Observer staff The Vermont Department of Health found elevated levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in two Williston Central School classrooms during mandatory air quality testing in early March. The presence of the chemicals, which emanate from mid-20th-Century-era building materials and are known to cause health problems, will require remediation, according to Champlain Valley School District Facilities Director Chris Giard. Under state
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guidance, the school can keep the rooms open to students and teachers as long as mitigation efforts begin this month. One of the rooms is the home of the Family and Consumer Science program. The other is a classroom in the Harbor House zone. A handful of other storage spaces and closets also tested high, according to the health department’s test results, delivered to the school district in April. All other tested spots had below actionable levels of PCBs. About a third of the school’s spaces were tested. School administrators are currently formulating a remediation plan for the spaces see PCBs page 5
Bunting appointed interim schools superintendent OBSERVER STAFF REPORT Adam Bunting will take over as interim superintendent of the Champlain Valley School District in July. The Champlain Valley School Board announced the appointment last Wednesday, roughly a month Adam Bunting after the resignation of Superintendent Rene Sanchez, who held the position for three years. Bunting has been the principal of Champlain Valley Union High School since 2015. “While we have challenges ahead, I can’t imagine a community more poised to engage in thoughtful, collaborative dis-
course and action,” Bunting said. “I care deeply about our students, community and team of educators and am honored to serve CVSD in a new capacity.” District administrators plan to appoint an interim principal for CVU before the end of the current school year and initiate a search for a permanent district superintendent in the fall. A CVU graduate and Vermont Principal of the Year in 2018, Bunting has a master’s degree in school leadership from Harvard University. “Adam has consistently demonstrated his passion for student-centered education and CVSD,” school board chair Meghan Metzler said. “His collaborative approach and deep understanding of CVSD will be critical as we continue executing our strategic plan and addressing the statewide education funding challenges that are impacting our schools.”
Town tidy up Danelle Cadieux (foreground) and friend pick up trash along Industrial Avenue during Green Up Day on Saturday. More photos on page 11. OBSERVER PHOTOS BY AL FREY
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