When does GCS expect to have a final report from the National Institute of Safety and Health (NIOSH)?
Staff is continuing to remain in constant contact with NIOSH. GCS has not been given a date for when the district may receive their final report, but did learn that NIOSH does not anticipate identifying in their final report any new areas of remediation work that will be required at Oak Ridge Elementary. As a result, GCS will continue working with Turner Group and other outside firms to complete the remediation efforts on the items previously identified by NIOSH.

Has the district discovered the likely cause of the air quality issues at the school?
The district, along with Turner Building Science and Design, has been working to evaluate and determine appropriate next steps to address initial indoor air quality related observations and recommendations that were made by Turner and NIOSH. Turner's report can be found at the following link: http://www.gcsnc.com/oakridge/turnergroup.pdf.

How is the district proceeding with work being done at the school?
The preliminary report provided a basis for additional evaluation and the development of specific protocols designed to address the issues that were raised in the report. Turner has developed protocols for work being done at the Oak Ridge facility.

The GCS Facilities department has remained in constant contact with Turner to review and develop protocols and discuss ongoing work. Click here for the latest Oak Ridge progress update.

When will students be back in Oak Ridge Elementary School?
GCS is estimating that the work could take until the end of November to complete. At this time, it is not possible to give a date for when students may expect to be back at Oak Ridge Elementary School. The district wants to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken before reopening the school.

What about the lease at Oak Ridge Military Academy (ORMA)?
The contract GCS signed with ORMA ends in December. However, the contract can go on a month-to-month basis starting in January.

When proceeding with Plan B, who picked where Oak Ridge students would attend school?
The Plan B committee, which is comprised of district and Oak Ridge staff and parents, decided on the four facilities for Oak Ridge students. For a list of committee members, click here. GCS called on members of the Oak Ridge leadership team and the Oak Ridge PTA Executive Board to find volunteers for the committee when it was formed over the summer.

Why have Lyon Construction trucks been out at Oak Ridge Elementary?
GCS has pending litigation against Lyon Construction, the company that built Oak Ridge Elementary. Because of this, Lyon Construction has and will continue to be at Oak Ridge, as the district must give them an opportunity to review areas where GCS proposes to do work. Lyon Construction is not performing the work in question. GCS staff will always be on site with Lyon Construction.

What about computers in the classrooms at ORMA?
GCS is investigating the best way to increase the number of classroom computers at ORMA. Right now, there is an issue with the current network capabilities at ORMA. The district’s Technology department is working with the district’s service provider determining feasibility and cost of upgrading the network infrastructure at ORMA to accommodate an increase in computers and network traffic.

What about computer access at Northwest Middle and Colfax?
K-1 students at Colfax and 4-5 students at Northwest Middle are using those schools’ computer labs once a week. 

I am a teacher in need of some materials stored at Allen Jay. How can I access the materials?
The district is working with Oak Ridge staff to get a list from each teacher regarding the items needed for their classrooms. Almost all classroom materials have now been located and returned to the teachers, and these efforts will continue until these needed materials have been retrieved. Teachers should contact Assistant Principal Jackie Burney with any questions.                           

What about the teachers who have put in many extra hours to monitor the bus hub at Northwest Middle in the mornings and afternoons?
GCS knows teachers have been putting in many extra hours to monitor the bus hub at Northwest Middle in the mornings and afternoons. The district is now paying GCS employees to assist teachers with this effort.

What is the district doing about books for students at the various sites?
K-1 students at Colfax are now checking out library books at the Colfax media center on a weekly basis. The High Point Public Library has agreed to lend about 300 books to the second- and third-grade students at ORMA. The Greensboro Public Library is lending books to the Northwest Middle fourth- and fifth-graders. Also, students are allowed to check out teacher-selected books from the Northwest Middle media center. Many Oak Ridge teachers at Northwest Middle have large classroom libraries established, so the district anticipates students will have plenty of books to read.

What about End-of-Grade tests? Given the situation, is the district concerned that these students will not be able to excel academically this school year?
GCS is committed to ensuring students at every Oak Ridge site learn and flourish just as they would at Oak Ridge. It is a priority for the district to make sure that these students do not miss out on anything due to the situation. 

I've heard rumors about the Oak Ridge facility. How do I know if these are true?
GCS created a corrections and clarifications page to clear up any misunderstandings. To make sure you are getting the most up-to-date information, sign up for Oak Ridge e-mail updates.

I still have a question that has not been answered here. Who can I contact?
Questions or concerns may be sent to oakridgefeedback@gcsnc.com.