Monticello school board addresses mold issue

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Monticello school board addresses mold issuePublished Wednesday, April 23, 2003 11:50:06 AM Central Time

By Ellen -Masson

Times Correspondent

MONTICELLO -- Monticello school board members have moved quickly to begin renovation and remediation efforts to correct mold and other problems at the school after residents passed a $1.65 million referendum Nov. 5.

This room at the Monticello school building was formerly used as a third-grade classroom before mold was discovered growing on the walls and the room was sealed. The contaminated sheet rock, insulation, ceiling materials and asbestos tile were removed as part of the remediation process using funds from a referendum passed Nov. 5. Times photo: Ellen -Masson

Water seepage from poor grading around the building and a leaky roof had led to mold growth in at least five rooms of the school, and flaking asbestos and lead paint in various ceiling and flooring materials need to be removed through an extensive remediation process. The aged heating system also needs to be replaced, as well as numerous improvements to make the facilities a more pleasant learning environment and handicapped accessible.

The referendum was designated to cover a three-year period of renovations, with most construction taking place in the summer so it wouldn't disrupt the learning process.

Mold had been found in three rooms in the elementary school that were previously used for office and storage space, as well as in a third-grade classroom.

Mold was also discovered in a guidance room in the high school. Soon after the referendum passed in November, Birch Environmental Maintenance in Madison was hired to remove the contaminated sheet rock, foam insulation, ceiling materials and asbestos flooring in the elementary school rooms, and the high school guidance room was adequately decontaminated by bleach treatment.

School board members examined the grounds with an architect during spring break week in order to determine the best way to regrade the landscaping in order to eliminate the problem of water draining toward and into the school building.

Once the grading has been improved, the outer walls of the elementary school rooms will be sealed with a vapor barrier and there will likely be block walls built on the interior, with adequate venting and heating to prevent future mold.

Several projects have been let for bid and approved for this summer, including replacing the high school roof, lighting, ceiling tile and insulation, adding new wiring for the fire alarm and public address system and installing other technical wiring. Bids have also been let for a heating system upgrade and painting of Rehmstedt Gym and new exterior and interior doors. The bids are expected to be approved at either the April 28 or May 14 school board meeting so work can proceed this summer. Bidding has also been let for the addition of two school buses.

The elementary and middle school ceilings and floors will be replaced in the summer of 2004. The board is seeking a company to take a minimum of 22 samples to determine where the asbestos is before work commences.

, district administrator, explained the school board decided to complete one area of the school at a time before moving on -- hence the focus on the high school this summer.

While the high school roof is being replaced, the interior remodeling will take place as well.

The new lighting is expected to pay for itself in a couple of years from energy savings alone. Likewise, the new insulation in the high school will improve efficiency when the new heating system is installed. "With heating and electrical costs going through the roof, the school board made a good decision with what they wanted to accomplish first," said.

estimated between $500,000 to $600,000 of the referendum will have been spent by the end of this summer.

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