Mold Problems Close Crockett Elementary

December 20, 2002

Reporter: Christi Lowe

Students and teachers at Crockett Elementary in Lawrenceburg have been

getting sick. The building was tested, and now officials say mold is to

blame.

" I can't go in there. "

On Wednesday, specialized clean-up crews told employees at the school to

keep everyone out.

" They closed it because they found mold, and it's contaminated. So they shut

it down. That's what we've been told, " said concerned parent Melia Mclain.

Mold has been a problem at Crockett Elementary since it was built five

years ago. Children and teachers are constantly getting sick, and so far,

efforts to fix the problem have failed.

" We do have a moisture problem, and that in turn generates some mold

issues, " said Director of School Butch Morrow.

Last month, a Nashville company tested the air quality in the school and

swabbed for mold. The result was a 50-page report that concludes: " Fungi

species in the school were at levels which may cause concern. "

" This is going home with all of the children today. "

Parents, who say their kids keep getting sick, are definitely concerned.

According to the report, 19 different kinds of mold were discovered,

including a small amount of toxic mold. The trouble is school officials

still aren't sure where the health hazard is coming from.

" Anything from the mulch around the building to the HVAC units pulling in

moisture from the mulch to gutters leaking. It's not just any one thing. "

School officials told News 2 they will thoroughly clean the building over

Christmas break, and they hope to get the problem fixed in the next two to

three months.

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