Mould Problems Confirmed in Lambton-Kent Say Teachers

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Mould Problems Confirmed in Lambton-Kent Say Teachers

CNW Telbec (Communiqués de presse) - Canada

http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/March2007/02/c6645.html

TORONTO, March 2 /CNW/ - Teacher concerns about mould in Lambton-

Kent

District School Board classrooms have been strongly confirmed by

recent

Board-sponsored tests, says the Elementary Teachers' Federation of

Ontario

(ETFO).

The test results are in sharp contrast to the Board's steadfast

position

in recent months that tests demonstrated their classrooms are safe.

The

current test results indicate that visible mould has been identified

in six

Lambton schools and in three Kent Schools. As of March 2, test

results for

14 schools were available to ETFO. The Board has a total of 55

schools.

In addition to the mould-confirming test results, ETFO has

learned that

one of the portable classrooms that it had complained about in the

past will

be closed today because of mould problems.

" This is a disturbing development, " said ETFO First Vice-

President

Clegg, " considering the fact that we were told on many occasions

that the

classroom in question did not have a problem. "

" Earlier this year, the Board provided us with conflicting test

results

for other schools using the same methodology that proved unreliable

last year.

Some tests revealed a possible danger, while others conducted later

by the

same firm seemed to contradict their initial findings. The Board had

refused

to allow us to conduct our own tests, using an independent,

internationally

trained forensic mould specialist, " said Clegg.

" The extent of the current mould problem and the potential for

serious

health and safety consequences demand immediate remedial action on

the part of

the Board, " concluded Clegg.

" As we have stressed on numerous occasions, students, parents,

and school

personnel need to be assured that the involved classrooms are safe

for

teaching and learning. If the classrooms are not safe, they must be

closed

immediately and not reopened until the Board can demonstrate without

question

that mould is no longer present. "

The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents more

than

70,000 public elementary school teachers and education workers

across Ontario

and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.

For further information: Larry D. Skory, ETFO Communications, (416)

962-3836 (office), (416) 948-0195 (cell)