It is the intention of Loudoun County Public Schools to comply with all federal and state regulations regarding asbestos and to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure students and employees a healthy and safe environment in which to learn and work. 

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) performs routine inspections of several school buildings and staff facilities in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).  As required by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the EPA, this notification is to inform you that asbestos-containing material (ACM) is present and managed in several locations in Sterling Middle School. 

Prior to the 1980s, asbestos was used extensively in many building materials because of its insulating, sound absorbing, and fire-retarding capabilities. While virtually any building constructed in the United States from the 1940s to the late 1970s contains some asbestos, intact and undisturbed asbestos-containing materials generally do not pose a health risk. Schools are held to a higher standard for management than residences or privately-owned buildings.

In our school, known areas of ACM are inspected semi-annually by licensed LCPS personnel and every three years by licensed third-party inspectors to ensure that the material remains in good condition and does not pose an exposure hazard for building occupants. Any materials found to be in unacceptable condition or impacted by planned building work are removed by licensed professionals. Records of all inspections, response actions, and sampling data are compiled in the school’s Asbestos Management Plan document. This document also indicates the locations where asbestos-containing materials may be present.  

In 2020-2021, the following inspections and response actions were performed:

• February 2021 Periodic Visual Surveillance, All Known ACM

• August 2021 Periodic Visual Surveillance, All Known ACM

• February 2022 Periodic Visual Surveillance, All Known ACM

• August 2022 Triennial Inspection (Third Party), All Known ACM

• February 2022 Stage Light Bars with Asbestos Wire Insulation,

• Removed Intact During Stage Electrical Upgrades

You are welcome to review a copy of any facility’s Asbestos Management Plan in the administrative office of the school.  In addition, copies of all Management Plans are maintained in the Loudoun County Public Schools Facilities Services Environmental Division offices, located at 741 Miller Drive, Leesburg, Virginia.  For all inquiries regarding the asbestos management plan and asbestos-related issues in our facilities please contact the LCPS designated asbestos program manager, Cristina Windover, at Email Cristina Windover or 571-252-1934.

Loudoun County Public Schools is committed to providing safe schools for all students and employees in our district and we thank you for your attention to this important issue.