Milton Mold Update

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Milton Mold Update

WCAX - Burlington,VT*

Milton, Vermont - July 20, 2007

http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=6819495 & nav=4QcS

It was just over a year ago that Milton school officials made a

troubling discovery mold throughout most of the elementary school

building.

One year later, the clean up is complete, but there are still

questions about how to solve the problem for good.

All is quiet outside the Milton Elementary School -- but inside, the

air can be heard in all the hallways..

" We have to be on top of it immediately, " said Waldron,

Milton's School superintendent.

Last year, school officials were forced to delay the start of school

when they discovered mold throughout the building. Roof work, a new

drainage system and the mold cleanup were costly -- so far the total

price tag is over $4.6 million.

" You have to think about what would happen if we had to close the

building permanently or if we lost the building, we have a lot of

square feet to make up in terms of new construction and that also is

quite expensive, " said Waldron.

It's estimated that a taxpayer with a $200,000 home will see at

least a $47 increase in taxes.

" There's a lot of concern about escalating school budgets and this

is certainly a big escalation in one year to have and then also

we're trying to improve our instructional programs so we have two

major things that we're trying to accomplish and neither one of them

is without expense, " Waldron said.

Because of the building's location on wet ground the mold could come

back again.

The question now is -- how to stop it.

The school has purchased over 30 dehumidifiers, 20 air conditioners

and dozens of fans to try to keep the moisture at bay, but this is

only a temporary solution.

The district is now looking at more costly long term solutions such

as central air conditioning.

" The only way to really eliminate the mold is to eliminate the

moisture, " Waldron said.

School officials are monitoring the moisture in the building daily

checking for mold. So far, the school year is slated to start on

time on August 29.

Beth Parent - WCAX News