Bangor Middle School To Relocate Students & Staff Next Year To Remove Asbestos From Building

It's something that pops up from time to time in older buildings throughout the city, as many aging structures are updated and repaired, but this time it's affecting an entire school.

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Asbestos, once widely used in construction and automotive parts for it's fire resistance properties and strength. But it can be incredibly harmful if it ends up in your body.

"Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring, fibrous minerals once widely used in construction for fire resistance and strength. It is highly dangerous when disturbed, releasing microscopic, airborne fibers that, when inhaled or swallowed, lodge deep within the lungs or body tissues, causing chronic inflammation and fatal diseases like lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis."

Many buildings in Maine were made with asbestos materials, and while a good deal of those buildings have been upgraded, and have had the asbestos professionally removed, there are still some that require attention.

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One of those buildings just happens to be the Fairmount School on 13th Street in Bangor.

Ray Phinney,  Director of Community Outreach with the Bangor School Department said this week that plans are being made to deal with the asbestos, but that they will need to relocate the entire school next year while they work to remove the substance.

"Recently, it came to our attention through preparation for a roof repair at Fairmount School that there was undisturbed asbestos in the ceiling that needed to be addressed. The assessments that were conducted led us to conclude that while we are able to safely finish out the school year, we must temporarily relocate students and staff for the upcoming school year. This step is necessary so we can properly assess upgrades and complete the recommended work."

Phinney says there's an entire team working on a plan on where to put the staff and students temporarily for the 2026/27 school year, mentioning specifically that all staff will remain employed while the abatement work is completed.

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They have not shared their plan with the public yet, as they're still in the midst of trying to finalize things, but will be addressing the School Committee with their proposal in the middle of May.

There will also be a pair of public listening sessions that will be held on May 18th, for those who may have questions or concerns. Those will be held the James F. Doughty School from 5PM to 6PM and then at the William S. Cohen School right after that, from 6:30PM to 7:30 PM.

Phinney says he's certain the school department will be able to work with the community to make sure the upcoming transition is handled smoothly, with minimal disruptions to students, staff and services, and reiterates that the safety of all associated with the school is at the top of everyone's list.