During the Moore County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday, a request by the Moore County Board of Education was received and approved to fund $157,000 for asbestos removal and abatement as part of the demolition of the existing Pinehurst Elementary School.
According to John Birath, Moore County Schools Executive Officer for Operations, asbestos has been known to be present at the school since it was constructed over 50 years ago.
State lottery funds will be used to pay for the work.
Crews began demolition of the school on Dundee Road in November. The former school is being torn down to make room for a new school, which will be twice the size.
Since August, students have been attending classes in modular buildings at Rassie Wicker Park until the new $30.9 million school is completed.
The two-story school, which will serve 800 students, is scheduled to open in August 2021. Moore County voters approved a bond referendum in 2018 to fund the construction.
~Article by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter John Patota.
