Worker claims he was fired for pointing out mold problems at new high school

[Guest guest]

Worker claims he was fired for pointing out mold problems at new

high school

September 8, 2005

http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=3822371

PLAINFILED -- A brand new $49 million school has just opened its

doors to students in Connecticut, but now a lawsuit saying that mold

could be a problem at the school is looming.

Channel 3 Eyewitness News reporter Roth joins us live from

Plainfield with the mobile newsroom with more.

ROTH: The lawsuit ts coming from a worker who was fired from his job

installing heating, air conditioning, and plumbing at the school.

The attorney claims that when the worker singled out problems

involving mold he was retaliated against.

School officials tell Eyewitness News that mold is not a problem

inside Plainfield High.

" I feel that if this were a major issue, the school would be

closed, " said Plainfield First Selectman Gladding.

But a letter from the attorney of Kennerson -- a plainfield

resident hired to install heating, air conditioning and plumbing

during the school's construction -- Kennerson claims that when he

drew attention to mold in air conditioning ducts he was fired for

taking his concerns to the school's principal.

Neither Mr. Kennerson nor his attorney could be reached for comment.

The school superintendent says that air quality tests done three

weeks ago turned up signs of mold, but the problems were fixed

before students returned.

The new high school was built because the old Plainfield High had

mold problems. The superintendent said she wasn't going to reopen

this school without fixing the mold problem.

The president of the board of education says he's not sure how to

proceed with Mr. Kennerson, but he'll be talking with the school

superintendent on Wednesday.