BOE still seeks answers to mold problem

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BOE still seeks answers to mold problem

By: Robin Kervin

Source: The Herald-News

10-05-2005

Tennessee

http://www.rhea.xtn.net/index.php?

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The Rhea County Board of Education continued with its plan to rid

the county's schools of mold and mildew during its Monday evening

workshop at Rhea County High School.

Craig Brothers of Associated Mechanical, the company that installed

the air handling system at Spring City Middle School, again joined

Centralized Maintenance Director Marty Derlak to update the board on

their findings at Rhea Central Elementary School and suggest

solutions to resolve the mold and mildew issues.

" The good news is that temperature controls appear to be accurate

throughout the school to within a degree, " said Brothers.

He said that there were still relative humidity issues, and there

could be several different but possibly simple reasons for that.

According to Brothers, the humidity pattern seems to mimic outdoor

conditions. When relative humidity is higher outside, it is higher

inside the schools. When relative humidity decreases outside, it

decreases inside. The solution could be a simple adjustment to the

outside air intake, or even fan speed, said Brothers.

Decreasing the relative humidity would help to eliminate the

environment that allows mold and mildew to grow and flourish.

Brothers named three areas that he felt would help alleviate part of

the problem. HVAC pipes throughout the school create condensation;

those need to be properly insulated to stop that moisture problem.

The drain system from the air-handling units drains water outside

the building where it pools in some places. Derlak suggested a

french drain system to get the water away from the building. A

french drain uses gravity to help it carry the water away from a

structure; it is installed on a downward slope.

Finally, the ductwork needs to be investigated to see if any mold

exists inside the system. If it does, the board will have to

consider plans for cleaning the ducts.

Chairman Mincy asked Derlak and Brothers to work together to

identify the specific causes for the higher humidity in classrooms

and to get estimates on any that need repairs. He also asked for

estimates on the reinsulation of pipes and for installing the drains

at RCES by the next board meeting on Oct. 13, so that the board can

vote on how to proceed.

Derlak gave the board some feedback on his observations of the

janitorial staff throughout the school system. In August, the board

decided against switching to a janitorial management company. It was

not best for the schools or the current janitorial staff, but the

board agreed that some changes were necessary. The board took the

best suggestions of management companies and has asked Derlak's help

in creating a county wide janitorial system with one manager to

coordinate training and procedures, purchasing of supplies, and

overall supervision of the school janitors, especially after school

hours.

Derlak has completed staffing and time studies and will be reporting

back to the board soon with additional information.

Board member Bimbo McCawley also provided the board with information

on the increasing population at RCHS and a plan for meeting the

needs of that growing population. The estimated graduating classes

for the next three years number over 400 students each. Total high

school population is expected to grow from 1458 this year to an

estimated 1599 students by the 2014-15 school year. That's a 10

percent increase in 10 years, and it is not expected to decrease.

The board's current focus is on a separate building for the Ninth

Grade Academy, but with some flexibility built into the plan. The

building plans would keep alternative uses in mind, looking toward

the future, possible population changes and meeting community needs.

McCawley called for the cooperation of educators, community leaders,

parents and students to find the best solutions to the county's

needs.

" There is an urgent need to develop creative solutions and

incentives that encourage increased collaboration between schools,

local government agencies, civic and community based organizations, "

said McCawley.

The first RCHS building team meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct.

11, at 6 p.m. at the RCHS library.

Robin Kervin can be reached at rkervin@....