Updated Message Regarding Mercury in Gym Floors

April 25, 2019

Dear Clayton Community:

I would like to update you in regards to the gymnasium floor testing that was conducted in our school buildings. As I informed you in my previous letter, we took the proactive steps to test our rubberized gymnasium floors for mercury. Toward that end, we contracted with Epic Environmental Services to conduct the bulk core floor sample testing for the presence of mercury.

The initial core test for the Simmons Elementary School gymnasium found that the floors were non-mercury containing and that no further action was required. With this result in mind, I have authorized the re-opening of the Elementary School gymnasium effective immediately.

The core testing of the High School/Middle School auxiliary gymnasium found that the floor does contain mercury. Once I had received the core testing results, it was recommended and I authorized that an air quality test be conducted for the High School/Middle School auxiliary gymnasium during normal operating conditions.  I received the air quality testing results, and I am pleased to inform you that they are below the New Jersey State Department of Health action limit criteria. However, it was recommended that a second air quality test be taken during the hot and humid summer months. This will give us results under worst-case conditions. I have authorized that the second air quality test be done and will wait for those results to determine any further action.

In light of this recommendation, the High School/Middle School auxiliary gymnasium will remain closed for the remainder of the school year. I feel this is the prudent and safe thing to do until we have the complete results from the second air quality test. Attached to this letter is a copy of the Mercury Air Sampling Summary from Epic Environmental.  The final reports will be posted on our District website as soon as they become available.

As always, thank you for your support of Clayton Public School District.

Sincerely yours,

Nikolaos C. Koutsogiannis
Superintendent of Schools

Click here to view the attached

Message from the Superintendent Regarding Gym Floors

4/4/2019

Dear Clayton Community:

I am writing to you to make you aware of recent rubberized floor issues in surrounding districts that are prompting us to test two of our rubberized gym floors.  The issue is related to the installation process and the use of mercury. As a precaution, we have contracted with Epic Environmental to conduct testing of our High School/Middle School auxiliary gym floor and the gym floor at Simmons Elementary School.

The floors are being tested to see if mercury had been used during the installation process.  Floors that contain mercury, under certain conditions, may emit vapors which can be hazardous.  The use of mercury in the installation process was banned in 2000. The High School/Middle School auxiliary gym floor was installed in 2003, and the gym floor at the Elementary School was installed in 2015.  In addition to testing the floors we will also be temporarily relocating all of our physical education classes from those areas. This also applies to all of our after-school activities. The areas will remain closed until we receive the test results.  I feel this is a prudent step to take while we await the results of our testing.  I will be sharing the testing results as soon as they become available as well as any additional precautionary measures that may need to be taken.

As always, Clayton Public School District is committed to providing a safe learning and work environment. Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely yours,

Nikolaos C. Koutsogiannis
Superintendent of Schools

Additional Information:

Guidance for NJ Schools: Evaluating Mercury in Synthetic Floors (PDF)

Clayton Featured in CBS3 Video: New Jersey Schools Required To Install Silent Panic Alarms