The principal of a Macedon Ranges school has moved to quell fears about an asbestos warning label that appeared on the door of an administration building last week.
Lancefield Primary School principal Diana Ellis said the sticker was used in a statewide Education Department program arising from its latest round of maintenance audits.
She said similar labels had been affixed to buildings at hundreds of schools statewide and while asbestos was used in the construction of the school’s ageing administration building, its condition was inspected regularly.
‘‘Over the past two years, we have had ongoing discussions with the department about the state of the old administration building and particularly the external structure,’’ Ms Ellis said.
‘‘The school council has recently become quite proactive in seeking funding.’’
Ms Ellis said while there was asbestos in the building, it posed no threat.
Asbestos is only considered to be dangerous when it is damaged or in poor condition.
A parent who has a long association with the school said the appearance of the label, rather than funding for the removal of the asbestos, was symptomatic of a broader problem at government schools.
‘‘It all seems to be based not on actual need but on political need,’’ the parent, who did not want to be named, said.
‘‘It’s mainly the maintenance issues – it’s all very costly and so often the school’s got to find the money.
“I think it’s extraordinary what principals have to do in these schools.
“It all falls back on them and the school community has to do so much fundraising.’’
A department spokesman said the label was part of a comprehensive program to ensure schools remained safe, but he did not respond when asked how many schools were implicated.
‘‘The labels remind people to contact school reception prior to undertaking any works at the school,’’ he said.
Only one of Lancefield Primary School’s three core buildings was rated below the acceptable standard during an independent assessment conducted in 2012.
