Joplin Schools Facilities Department
The boundaries of the district of Joplin Schools covers 69.69 square miles. Our facilities include:
• 10 Elementary Schools
• 3 Middle Schools
• 1 High School
• 1 Career & Technical Center
• 1 Early Childhood Center
• 1 Alternative high school program
• 1 Behavioral facility serving Joplin and 16 sending school districts
When requesting to make changes and/or additions to a school building or school grounds (i.e. PTO projects, donations, grants, etc.), please involve the Buildings and Grounds office during the planning process - regardless of how the change or addition is being funded. Click here to access the Building & Grounds Information Request Form.
Dave Pettit
Director of Facilities
417-625-5300
Jennifer Starchman
Administrative Assistant
417-625-5300 ext. 2101
Justin Lawson
Assistant Director of Facilities
417-625-5300
Annual Asbestos Notification
Memorandum for Parents, Faculty, and Students
March 2, 2026
From the Office of Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation
In 1986, Congress enacted the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) primarily to require school districts to identify asbestos containing materals (ACM) in their school buildings and develop a management plan. In 1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a regulatory protram, which enforces the AHERA.
In compliance with AHERA regulation, Joplin Schools had their facilities inspected by an EPA accredited building inspector. During the inspection, samples were taken of building material suspected of containing asbestos. The results of the inspections and laboratory analysis of the samples have confirmed the presence of ACM in portions of the school’s facilities. It is important to note that these materials are in a form and condition that does not pose an imminent health threat to students, faculty, or patrons.
In compliance with AHERA, Joplin Schools has developed a management plan for each of their facilities. Based on inspections, the school district prepared and the state approved a comprehensive management plan for handling asbestos located within its buildings, safely, and responsibly. AHERA requires a periodic walk-through (called “surveillance”) every six months of each area containing asbestos. AHERA also requires a triennial inspection.
This memorandum is to inform you that the AHERA Management Plan including inspection reports, periodic surveillance records, triennial inspections, and other asbestos-related activities and documents are available for your review. If you are interested in reviewing a management plan, please ask for it in the office of each building.
Contact for Asbestos Related Issues
March 2, 2026
From the Office of Buildings, Grounds, and Transportation
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed guidance to help Local Education Agencies (LEAs) achieve compliance withthe Asbestos-Containing Materials in Schools regulation (40 CFR Part 763).
These regulations, in effect since 1986, require that public and not-for-profit non-public, elementary and secondary schools be inspected to determine the presence of asbestos-containing building material and that asbestos management plans be developed as a result of those inspections.
The LEA must designate a person (designated person) to ensure that the responsibilities of the LEA, as detailed in the regulations, are properly implemented.
The LEA must verify that this individual has received proper training. The individual is not required to be a licensed asbestos consultant. There is no specific training course for the designated person; however, the EPA has developed a “Designated Person’s Self-Study Guide” that details the required specific background knowledge the designated person must have.
I certify that the general responsibilities of the Joplin R-8 School District have been or will be met in regards to the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).
Signed,
Dave Pettit, Designated Person
1301 Picher, Joplin, MO 64804
417-625-5300 ext. 2101
In the unavailability of the designated person, you may contact Mike Cory or Bryan White at the same contact address and telephone number.