Some H-E-B schools require mold cleanup

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Some H-E-B schools require mold cleanup

Fort Worth Star Telegram - Fort Worth,TX*

By TERRY WEBSTER

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

http://www.star-telegram.com/407/story/187453.html

A humid, rainy summer is being blamed for discoloration that showed

up on carpeting in some Hurst-Euless-Bedford schools.

No toxic mold was found, and all schools have been cleared to open

Aug. 27, district spokeswoman Judy Ramos said Tuesday.

The district ordered mold testing this month after staff noticed the

marks, Ramos said.

The mold cleanup at North Euless Elementary, Spring Garden

Elementary and the Wee Care center will involve removing some areas

of carpeting where mold and mildew were found, according to district

documents.

King Consultants of Bedford also conducted air testing at Hurst

Hills, Bedford Heights, Midway Park, Oakwood Terrace, Wilshire,

Spring Garden, Meadow Creek, River Trails, Stonegate, Shady Oaks and

North Euless elementary schools; the Wee Care center; and Central,

Harwood and Hurst junior highs.

Thermostats have been lowered at schools to help reduce humidity,

officials said.

The mold didn't affect schools with summer classes because their air

conditioning was running at normal levels, Ramos said.

Staff noticed the carpet discoloration July 10, and maintenance

crews immediately began a walk-through of all district buildings,

Ramos said. The cleanup and testing was completed by July 24.

More than 1,000 rooms were surveyed, and carpeting will be removed

in 13, Ramos said.

What happened at the meeting

Trustees voted Monday to hold a public hearing and discussion on the

2007-08 budget and property tax rate on Aug. 21.

The tax rate is expected to drop from $1.597 per $100 of assessed

property value to $1.303. In May 2006, the Legislature mandated that

districts decrease the maintenance and operations portions of their

tax rate to $1.33 last year and $1.04 this year.

H-E-B's general operating budget is expected to increase by 1.7

percent, from $129.3 million for the 2006-07 school year to $131.5

million for 2007-08.

Terry Webster, 817-685-3819

twebster@...