Crumbling Plaster Forces Early Dismissal at Hadley

Students and staff were dismissed early on Friday at Hadley Elementary School because of crumbling plaster that possibly contained asbestos, according to Superintendent Pamela Angelakis.

In a tweet at about 2 p.m., Angelakis said: “Today I was informed of crumbling plaster possibly containing asbestos at Hadley. Students and staff were released pending test results.”

The school was dismissed at about noon and school typically runs until 2:15 p.m.

An emergency school committee meeting was scheduled for Friday afternoon at 4 p.m. to get a report from Angelakis about an “unexpected occurrence demanding immediate action.” Later, the meeting was cancelled.

It was “two small areas of crumbling plaster” that prompted the concern in the 100-year-old plus building, according to a press release from Angelakis posted to Wicked Local Swampscott. Students and staff were dismissed “out of an abundance of caution” and the plaster material was tested and showed no asbestos was present in the plaster, according to Angelakis’ press release.

Angelakis apologized for any inconvenience the early dismissal created, adding it was a necessary precaution.