Teachers fear reprisals for mold complaints (harvard)

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Teachers fear reprisals for mold complaints

By Anelons

Friday, June 10, 2005

http://www2.townonline.com/harvard/localRegional/view.bg?

articleid=265230 & format= & page=1

In a recent interview a group of concerned elementary school

teachers, including Diane Temple, a third-grade teacher and four

others who wished their names to be withheld, said the lack of open

dialogue about the mold issue and the opposing initiatives of the

governing groups block any progress.

Temple commented, " If we can't openly talk about this, and know

that everyone will support us, we're never going to solve the

problem. " The other teachers present agreed and observed that the

fear of being ostracized by school staff may be keeping others from

reporting their health problems. One teacher said, " It's very scary

to step forward...and say this is an issue and it's not just me. "

When asked why they fear negative reaction from their peers, another

said there is a prevalent attitude amongst school staff that the

mold investigation is " ...taking money from what could be programs

or teaching positions. "

Some teachers are attempting their own costly short-term

solutions, including multiple allergy prescriptions and air quality

equipment. Temple said, " These (teachers) are buying air filters,

dehumidifiers, heaters...with their own money because the system

won't supply any of them because it's (the teachers') problem and

that's not right. "

Temple and the other teachers agreed that the solution is

complicated by the number of groups involved and their respective

goals. While these teachers praise the recent actions of the Board

of Health, they question the wisdom of removing the carpet without

addressing the source of the problem. One teacher stated, " I don't

think it's probably the wisest use of money but I think (the Board

of Health) is trying to make their point. " They also expressed

concerns about the community's lack of response to the situation. A

teacher said, " My sense is that the townspeople think that the

administration is on top of it and doing something about it but I

don't think they should be so complacent. "

Temple, however, sees the situation as an opportunity to create

an effective and appropriate plan that fixes the current problem and

anticipates the town's future needs. She said, " There needs to be a

task force of community members, school committee, administration,

town committees and the Harvard Teachers Association...to solve

this...and maybe (include) the scientists who have been looking at

the building. "

The teachers understand that anonymous sources have less

credibility but one said, " I'm not going to be the only one out

there whining. "