FOUNDATION EXEMPLARY PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS July 16, 2018 Dear Parents of Lafayette Academy and Lafayette Academy Extension at Dunbar: Many of you know that Lafayette Academy facility has been and continues to undergo renovations under the supervision of the Louisiana Department of Education?s Recovery School District (RSD). This summer a contractor was hired by RSD to, among other things, replace the ?ooring on the ?rst and second ?oors of the building. That involves abating the old asbestos on those ?oors and elsewhere. RSD informed us last week that the contractor failed to follow the appropriate steps in removing the asbestos and that much of the building and its contents could be contaminated. While none of this work endangered children or staff because it was done after school ended, the building is now temporarily unuseable until the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality conducts thorough testing and approves its reuse. We are in the process of working through our options with RSD and with Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) to assure that our children and staff will be housed in a safe and productive environment for this school year. As we arrive at more complete details on these new arrangements, we will keep you posted on Lafayette Academy?s website, Dunbar?s website, and Choice Foundation?s website as well as by School Reach messages via voice and text. We will also schedule some informational meetings for you to attend as well. More information on how this problem came about and on some preliminary plans for moving forward into an exciting new school year are on the Web site now. A letter from RSD and from Superintendent Henderson Lewis of OPSB are now posted for your information. We look forward to seeing you soon and to the start of a great 2018-19 school year. Sincerely, ?l - .1 A-v . Mickey Landry Darlene Hills-Charlot Executive Director Head of School July 16, 2018 Mickey Landry Executive Director Choice Foundation RE: Lafayette School Renovation Dear Choice Foundation: As part of the School Facilities Master Plan for Orleans Parish the Louisiana Recovery School District (RSD) has engaged in refurbishment and renovation of the Lafayette School. During summer of 2017, the RSD renovated the third floor, including all required abatement. This work did not start until after school dismissed in May of 2017, and was completed before students or staff returned. Following completion of that work, all required environmental clearance testing was performed and passed pursuant to all applicable laws and regulations, and the school was cleared as ready for occupancy in the fall of 2017. Previous to summer 2017 additional work in other areas was performed during the school year with all containment and inspections monitored by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) to ensure safe occupancy, and air quality was monitored and measured as acceptable during those construction activities. During summer of 2018, the RSD began renovations of the first and second floor, including all required abatement. This work did not start until after school dismissed in May of 2018, and no schoolchildren were on the premises at any time during the renovation period. Due to the contractor’s deviation from the design and hazardous materials abatement/containment specifications, as observed by RSD representatives, the Architect of Record issued a stop‐work Order to the Contractor on June 15, 2018. The RSD instructed the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) be advised of the situation, and engaged that Department in the discussion of corrective action. The RSD issued a Notice of Contractor Default and Intent to Terminate the Construction Contract on July 6, 2018. The contractor’s actions have made timely completion of the remainder of this refurbishment/abatement project impossible, and it must continue into the fall months. The Orleans Parish School Board and RSD met with Choice Foundation leadership in late June to discuss the issues with the construction at Lafayette ES and together reviewed options to ensure the least disruption for students and staff for the upcoming school year. OPSB.us • 504.304.5678 • 3520 General DeGaulle Drive • New Orleans, Louisiana • 70114 As a group we decided that the best course of action for students and staff was to not endure a lengthy delay to the start of school, but to relocate the school to a temporary facility. Please note the following: None of the current flooring renovations or abatement work was ever conducted while school children were present on campus. At no time before, during or after any of this refurbishment and abatement work were any school children exposed to asbestos or any other hazardous materials. At all times while the school children did occupy the school, all environmental laws and regulations regarding hazardous materials were followed. Decisions regarding the location of the Lafayette school for the upcoming school year were made jointly between the Orleans Parish School Board and Choice Foundation. • • • • The Orleans Parish School Board is committed to ensuring the safety of all students and staff and will continue to work with Choice Foundation and the RSD to ensure a successful start of the school year for Lafayette Academy. Should you have any questions or need anything further, do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Dr. Henderson Lewis Superintendent, Orleans Parish School Board cc: Ms. Kunjan Narechania Mr. Ron Bordelon Mr. Jim Swanson OPSB.us • 504.304.5678 • 3520 General DeGaulle Drive • New Orleans, Louisiana • 70114