Mold Attacks Another Central Texas School

October 22, 2002

10/21/02 - 4:50 pm

Mold Attacks Another School

Another school district in Central Texas has to close one of its buildings

because of mold. In city, school officials acted quickly after air

quality tests came back with undesirable results.

At LBJ High School, students and staff recently lost a building called the

Eagle's Nest in September because of two kinds of airborne mold. Because of

swift action by the staff, classes didn't seem to miss a beat.

It's not just students in City who are studying valuable lessons.

The school district recently took a misfortune of another area school

district and used it to their advantage.

" In light of Dripping Springs and other places, it was the safety of our

children. That's why we jumped on it so quick, " school board president Randy

Brodbeck said.

At LBJ High School, mold forced officials to close the building used for

computer instruction and in school suspension. Environmental Technicians of

Austin tested the air and found questionable levels of aspergillus and

penicillin.

It's not the toxic black mold, but still a potential health hazard for

sensitive people.

" It puts a little fear into a parent, wondering what if but the school

handled it well. I think they were taken out early enough and I'm not

concerned with any effects, " parent Bonnie Meurer said.

Officials say they watched closely what happened to districts such as

Dripping Springs ISD. That district just completed a multi-million dollar

mold cleanup over the summer.

" I called Ward at Dripping Springs and said, 'This is my situation. Can

you help me out?' " City ISD Superintendent son said.

City officials opted to close the Eagle's Nest for good and relocate

the computer room to the main building.

ISS moved to a newly cleared out school tax office.

" We can do something in the summer, where if we move the building or tear

down the building, it won't be happening during school and interrupting

instruction, " son said.

Officials say no matter what they do with this building, they'll end up

spending between $35,000 and $50,000.

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