Mold invades Milton Elementary

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Mold invades Milton Elementary

Published: Thursday, August 10, 2006

By Ober

Free Press Staff Writer

BurlingtonFreePress.com - Burlington,VT

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

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MILTON -- After years of battling sweltering rooms in the spring and

summer, Milton Elementary School is faced with a new, growing

problem: mold.

As a result, school officials are unsure whether the building will

be ready for the start of school Aug. 30. Significant repairs will

have to be done. Superintendent Holden Waterman said he hoped

tonight's open School Board meeting would provide parents and

teachers with answers about the district's course of action.

Last week, custodial staff noticed the mold and alerted the school's

administration. During the overwhelming heat and humidity early last

week, humid air became trapped in the building and condensation

formed, creating perfect conditions for mold, Waterman said.

The superintendent called in Joachim from the town planning

and zoning office to inspect the school. Initially, administrators

and town officials thought the problem was isolated to five

classrooms where mold was found on carpets.. Waterman said it would

have been easy to replace the carpet because it was installed over

concrete.

Elementary school principal Kerry Sewell found more mold throughout

the building, prompting the district to call in Clay Point

Associates, an environmental consulting firm.

Air-quality testing found humidity levels of 70 percent to 84

percent throughout the building. The high humidity, combined with

small roof leaks and standing water on tiled floors, caused the mold

to grow, said Todd Hobson of Clay Point.

Hobson didn't have results Wednesday from the preliminary

assessment, but he said he hoped to have the information for

tonight's meeting. Many more rooms are affected -- up to 25,

Waterman said. The building, which accommodates 1,100 students, has

about 70 rooms.

Carpet removal and air tests have cost the district $150,000

already. Waterman said the entire cleanup would be expensive. He

hoped to have an estimate to share with residents tonight.

Mold everywhere

Mold was found growing on desks, in bathrooms and on other surfaces

throughout the 60-year-old building. Clay Point has taken samples of

carpeting, insulation and wall board to assess the full damage.

Crews are removing the moldy carpet and any other porous surfaces

affected. They're also cleaning all hard surfaces such as tabletops

where mold was growing.

Four rooms could prove particularly troublesome because the carpet

was laid on asbestos tiles. Waterman said the tiles present no

health risks, but they would probably need to be removed. Carpet

adhesive, which likely has mold growing on it, cannot be safely

removed from the tiles.

The building must be dried out so the mold doesn't return.. In the

long term, the district will consider improving drainage and

ventilation at the school. A long-term fix might also include an

improved air conditioning system throughout the school.

" It's going to be expensive, " Waterman said. " We're going to have to

have voter approval. "

Voters could be asked in November to approve a bond to finance

necessary improvements.

As for the health concerns, Hobson said some people develop

respiratory problems similar to allergies. " Everyone has a different

susceptibility to airborne fungal spores, " he said.

Milton is not the only school that has been plagued with mold in

recent years. In 2004, Newport Town School closed after mold

developed in the basement. Old furnaces were to blame for the

outbreak. In 2003, Hinesburg Community School canceled classes for

three days while mold was removed from the building.

Waterman, a veteran school administrator, said he'd never seen

anything like this. " Hopefully, we'll have a plan in place on

Friday, " he said. Have a question, comment, story idea? Contact

Ober at 660-1868 or lober@...

To learn more WHAT: Milton Town School Board meeting

WHEN: 6 p.m. today

WHERE: High school library