Independent air tests have given a clean bill of health to six classrooms closed by a roof leak in Ancaster High School’s east wing — although three remained closed as of Monday.

Hamilton public school board chair Todd White said Feb. 20 that sampling by Hamilton firm Pinchin Ltd. confirmed the six second-floor classrooms shut as a precaution had no airborne asbestos from water damaged ceiling materials.

The test results have been posted on the school’s website as part of regular updates on the roof.

White said previous staff assessments also found mould was not a concern.

The lifespan of that roof is definitely up at this point. With some of the heavier rains and this unexpected winter there was damage to the roof that unfortunately led to the water damage.

Todd White, board chair

Three of the six classrooms tested for asbestos reopened on Feb. 22 and the rest were set to follow suit once the board confirmed “patchwork” roof repairs had stopped any further leakage and they were suitable for classes to resume, he said.

The roof is scheduled to be replaced this summer at a budgeted cost of $1 million.

“The lifespan of that roof is definitely up at this point,” White said. “With some of the heavier rains and this unexpected winter there was damage to the roof that unfortunately led to the water damage.”

The school scheduled an evening information session on Feb. 27 — after this paper went to press — on the steps the board has taken since the leak was flagged in a letter to parents on Jan. 24.

White said the Ministry of Labour has visited the school twice and is “very satisfied” with the board’s response, but parents have asked many technical questions the information session would address.

He said the board’s facility manager and health and safety officers were to be on hand, along with the third-party test results and the school’s inventory of building locations with asbestos.