Landon: Mold Found “Again” at Staples High School

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Landon: Mold Found " Again " at Staples High School

WestportNow, Westpost. CT*

http://www.westportnow.com/index.php?/v2/comments/landon_mold_found_a

gain_at_staples_high_school/

In an unusual holiday weekend e-mail today to parents, Westport

Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon disclosed that mold had been

found at Staples High School for the second year in a row.

Landon, who has come under parental criticism recently for his

handling of mold and other air quality issues at King's Highway

Elementary School, said he was informed this week by ,

facilities director, that mold had been found in the choral room.

He said a similar problem was found in the same room last year as

well as in the school library and auditorium. He said it had been

remediated by the School Building Committee, an independent town

body which had overseen the school's recent $78 million renovation

and expansion.

Landon said that on Thursday, he, along with other school officials,

air quality consultant Brown of Hygenix, Inc., and Sue

Jacozzi, director of the Westport Weston Health District, visited

the choral room as well as the auditorium and library.

That was the same day that a special committee investigating the

mold issues at King's Highway met late in the day but no mention was

made there of the new problems at Staples. (See WestportNow Aug. 30,

2007)

" Testing is being performed in all three of these areas and the

results should be available to us some time next week, " Landon

wrote.

He said based on requests from staff, additional testing has been

ordered for the guidance suite, the Black Box Theatre, and the pupil

services office.

Landon said there have been " ongoing problems " with the school's

heating and air-conditioning system that have caused high humidity

in parts of the building, resulting in mold in the choral room and

dampness in the auditorium and library.

He said he expected the industrial hygienist hired by the school

system will be able to identify the causes of the high humidity

and " the reasons for the on-going growth of mold at Staples " and

recommend ways to eliminate the problems.

" I, personally, feel the humidity issues are related to our HVAC

problems, and would like to find a permanent solution, " Landon said.

He said he planned to discuss the issue with the Board of Education

at its Sept.10 meeting when he will make his recommendations

regarding the Staples air handling system as well as make a

recommendation about air quality testing at other schools.

In closing, Landon said: " Best wishes for a very pleasant Labor Day

weekend