MW Fixes Roof, Checks For Mold

April 5, 2007

Des Plaines Journal

By STEFAN SCHUMACHER

Journal Reporter

" It's been fixed, " Maine West High School Principal Audrey Haugan

said Monday of leaking in portions of the school's roof over

upstairs C-wing and B-wing.

The leaks occurred after snow on the roofs began melting, according

to Haugan. She said some teachers were moved out of their classrooms

prior to spring break, which was last week, and placed in open

classrooms in various places around the building.

Teachers were able to move back to their original classrooms this

week.

" Due to when it was really cold out all the snow was left on the

roof, " said Mike Galis, director of facilities for Dist.

207. " Sometimes you have some cracking in the built-up roof.

" As we cleared the snow off and the weather got nicer, there were

some leaks, and we had the contractor come in and make repairs to

the roof. "

Galis said because sound insulation above the ceiling tiles got wet

there was a musty smell in the classrooms. He said he instructed the

school's custodians to remove the insulation.

" We checked for mold, " said Galis. " The teachers requested to have

it tested for mold. We jumped on that right away. The report came

back that there was no mold. "

A certified industrial hygienist did the study of the rooms, and

found that based on visual perception, moisture testing and the

results of air monitoring, mold growth was not an issue in the area

affected by the roof leaks, according to Galis.

Galis said he is working with the manufacturer to have those

portions of the roof over C and B wings replaced this summer. The

roof is still under warranty

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