Asbestos Management Plans

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), enacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has specific requirements for schools management of asbestos-containing materials (ACM). The Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards administers and enforces AHERA for all K-12 schools in Massachusetts. AHERA applies to public and private not-for-profit elementary and secondary schools, K-12, including charter schools and schools with religious affiliation.

Schools are required to:

  1. identify asbestos-containing materials in their buildings;
  2. maintain asbestos-containing materials in good condition;
  3. notify occupants; and
  4. maintain records.

For specific details, refer to the EPA website.

In accordance with AHERA requirements, the Somerville Public Schools and the City of Somerville have compiled the following reports and plans. Reports for individual schools are also available in the main school office. Under the EPA regulations the Lead Educational Agency (Somerville Public Schools) must designate a person to ensure that requirements are properly implemented. As of 2023, the Superintendent of Schools has designated Matthew Bennett, Superintendent of Buildings, Somerville Department of Public Works, as the "Designated Person" to ensure that the responsibilities of the district have and will be met with respect to AHERA plans.

All school buildings are inspected annually, with reports published every three years. In buildings constructed before 1990, materials are generally understood to include asbestos-containing materials (which are safe and non-hazardous unless they are disturbed), and individual inspection forms are also completed for each of these buildings within our district (Brown School, Edgerly Education Center, Tufts Administration Building).