State to check schools for mold

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State to check schools for mold

Testing to be done today at Tri-County

By JASON MICHAEL WHITE

For the Journal & Courier

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

AID=/20061208/LIFE03/612080332

WOLCOTT -- A parent here believes two Tri-County School Corp.

schools are contaminated with a toxic mold that is making her

daughter sick.

Superintendent Gib Crimmins disagrees, but he has contacted the

Indiana State Department of Health as a safety precaution.

State health officials plan to test the district's three school

buildings by the end of today.

Crimmins said he hopes the test results will alleviate any worries

parents may have.

" I have talked to several parents that are concerned, " Crimmins

said. " But it's not like my phone has been ringing off the hook. "

Dr. Shields, of Wolcott Family Medicine, said Thursday that he

has treated about 15 students who were suffering from illnesses that

could be related to some type of toxic mold.

The most extreme case is Candace Herre, 16, who has missed about

half the school year because of flulike sickness and asthma.

Herre's health problems started in fourth grade while attending

Wolcott Elementary, according to her mother, Misty Herre.

Candace Herre would have nosebleeds during class, migraine headaches

and small seizures that

made her stare ahead blankly for minutes at a time.

But during summers, when out of school, her daughter was fine, Misty

Herre said.

Candace Herre's illness intensified when she started classes at Tri-

County Middle-Senior High School, according to her mother.

Along with the migraines came flulike symptoms and asthma.

Misty Herre said her niece and a neighbor's daughter have had

similar health issues. They are students at Tri-County Middle-Senior

High School.

Misty Herre said she hopes the test will let her know if anything in

the school is to blame for her daughter's sickness.

About five health department employees will test the ventilation

systems for signs of mold spores being circulated.

Classes will continue as normal during the testing, Crimmins said.