The doors of Roxbury Elementary School in Solon have swung open once again after being closed since September 2025 due to asbestos concerns. The school welcomed students back to completely renovated premises on Thursday, following intensive abatement work to address the hazardous materials. According to Cleveland19, Superintendent Fred Bolden spoke of "armies of abatement crews" that were brought in to thoroughly strip and rebuild the north wing of the school, praising the effort as "a huge undertaking." Cleveland19 also noted that the updated space boasts new lighting, ceilings, and carpeting to ensure a safe environment for returning students and staff.
Discovered after environmental testing identified asbestos in a roof drain and an air sample from a nearby hallway area, the issue prompted the immediate closure of the school. During the intervening months, Parkside Church in Chagrin Falls generously provided classroom space to house displaced students, as Cleveland19 reported. The closure, which initially uprooted the educational routines of many, also demonstrated the community's resilience and adaptability in securing a temporary learning space while the abatement process was to be carefully conducted.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Health gave the final clearances and approval for the school's reopening, as reported by WKYC. Following a critical period of ensuring the students' health and safety, Bolden emphasized the school's determination to facilitate a smooth transition back into the building. "Our Roxbury team will be ready and waiting to ensure every Roxbury Rocket has a smooth transition back to the building," Bolden said in a statement obtained by WKYC.
Moreover, Bolden also took the opportunity to express gratitude to all parties involved in navigating the school's temporary shutdown. "We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Parkside Church community for its gracious hospitality during our four-month stay in their school facilities," he told WKYC. Reflecting on the broader implications of the experience, Mrs. Moeschberger, a staff member, added, "This experience reminded us that a school is not a place—it is people. And we have an incredible group of people.”
As students settle back into their familiar hallways and classrooms, the reopened school stands testament to a community's ability to unite effectively around the shared common good of its youngest members. For more details on the school's reopening, additional resources can be found on Cleveland19, Fox8, and WKYC.
