High School Closes Because Of Mold Concerns

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9News Exclusive: High School Closes Because Of Mold Concerns

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http://www.wcpo.com/news/2005/local/11/17/school.html

Lance Barry's report

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The Mill school

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Reported by: Lance Barry

Web produced by: Liz Foreman

Photographed by: Garrison

First Posted: 11/17/2005 11:01:43 PM

Mold concerns have led to the cancellation of Friday classes at a

Northern Kentucky high school.

told 9News that a mold problem at High School, in

Mill, Kentucky, is to blame for her daughter's health

concerns, and when she took her complaint to administrators months

ago, the school blatantly ignored her concern.

9News took ' accusations to the school Thursday afternoon, and

they immediately hired an independent testing agency to look for

mold.

Late Thursday night, before any testing was complete, the school

decided to cancel Friday classes at the high school.

Doctor: Symptoms In Line With Mold Exposure

told 9News that the mold problems are proven by the health

problems of her 17 year old daughter, . has had ongoing

headaches, a cough and nasal issues, and a doctor told the '

that those symptoms are commonly found with exposure to mold.

The home has already tested negative for mold, and

said her daughter had heard rumors for months about mold in

the school.

9News Asks For Answers

9News went to Kenton County school superintendent Dr. Cook for

answers.

Cook was so confident there was nothing to hide, she took 9News on a

Thursday afternoon tour of the 26-year-old school building. While

she made reference to maintenance issues, she only made reference to

mold after 9News pressed her.

Lance Barry: " Have those issues included mold at all to your

knowledge? "

Cook " We have found mold in the carpeting over the years.

Absolutely. "

Some of the reason for the mold is how the school is laid out, Cook

said.

" The design of the building is such that we don't have any windows, "

Cook explained.

Superintendent Takes Action

School officials told 9News the mold that was found Thursday is in

an isolated area in a classroom, and as a result, is not up to EPA

standards. The formal testing will also determine the variety of

mold and how dangerous that variety may be.

Weather concerns over mold have returned, Cook said, or even

worsened. She will let tests determine.

" We hope to get a serious response by tomorrow morning, " Cook told

9News.

Mother Wishes Response Was Quicker

told 9News the school should have taken the mold threat

seriously months, if not years, ago.

" I think they are looking in to it because you are here today, " said

mother , who maintains that other students besides her

daughter have similar symptoms.

9News To Follow Up

The test results are expected Friday. 9News will have details as

soon as the results are released.