Liberty High School's Mold Problem to Cost $4 million

[Guest guest]

http://www.zwire.com/site/tab2.cfm?newsid=10947834 & BRD=2553 & PAG=461 & dept_id=506066 & rfi=6

Final fix? $4 million to mend mold problem

By Anita Sherman 02/10/2004

If the latest engineering firm to access Liberty High School's heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems is correct, it might take a $4 million fix to mitigate the mold.

Even since the mold monster reared its head at Liberty High School several years ago, school officials have been struggling with the challenge of how to best clean up, once and for all, the mold that would form on walls and carpets and move through the air.The situation is much improved at the school since the bulk of the carpeting was removed, ceiling tiles replaced or cleaned and custodial staff briefed on the latest in mold detection.When Lee took over as Liberty's principal, he inherited the unpredictable spore outbreaks. After several environmental studies and near-daily monitoring of humidity levels, he felt confident that the mold had been sufficiently contained, if not eliminated altogether.But those studies had indicated that further mechanical system changes would be necessary, and to that end Setty and Associates, Ltd., was contracted.Its report was presented at Monday evening's School Board work session and ultimately recommends a $4 million solution that would include putting new heating and cooling units in the school."What we will be recommending is a series of modifications to the HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) system," said Marvin , lead mechanical engineer. emphasized to board members that mold isn't the problem, it's the moisture in the air that breeds the mold which needs to be eliminated. said, "You have to treat the air that is coming into the building because it has moisture in it."In the last Capital Improvement Plan, $2 million was included for the Liberty HVAC system.If Setty and Associates gets the go-ahead to begin the work, a 14-month construction schedule is anticipated, with the majority of the work done at night and on weekends.Setty and Associates recommendations will also need to be reviewed by the Board of Supervisors.

©Times Community Newspapers 2004

Reader Opinions

Post your opinion and share your thoughts with other readers!

Name: Ruiz

Date: Feb, 11 2004

I believe that $4 million dollars is to steep of a price to pay for this project. $2 million alone for HVAC System, maybe. I know a company that can remediate the mold and issue the school a 10 year manufactures warranty against future mold growth. I completely agree that the issue is about the moisture levels in the air, but to basically take advantage of the situation to benefit yourself is wrong. Lack of education about the subject at hand is the reason for outrageous price to be accepted.