NCUHS delays start of school year due to PCB concerns

NEWPORT—North Country Union High School has postponed the start of the 2024-2025 school year due to ongoing PCB contamination issues. Originally scheduled to begin this coming week, the school year will now commence on September 3, with freshman orientation, followed by the first day for all students on September 4.

This delay, announced by Principal Chris Young in an email sent to parents on Thursday afternoon, is necessary to address the persistent PCB contamination in certain sections of the building. Although remediation efforts over the summer have reduced PCB levels in the C-wing, the B-wing still shows readings above the recommended safety thresholds.

PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, are chemical compounds that were widely used in construction materials and electrical products until they were banned in the late 1970s due to their health risks. Exposure to high levels of PCBs can cause a range of health problems, including cancer and immune system issues.

The presence of these chemicals in school buildings has become a significant issue across the country, prompting widespread testing and remediation efforts.

“The delay will allow us to extensively plan for as smooth an opening as possible,” Young wrote. “Our staff returned from their summer break on Tuesday, and everyone has been hard at work adjusting their plans, and thinking about ways to make new learning spaces as inviting and welcoming as we can. Given the amount of collaboration and creativity from our staff thus far, we are going to have a great opening.”