Mold pervades Hen Hud basement

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Mold pervades Hen Hud basement

The Journal News / Lohud.com - Westchester,NY*

By ROBERT MARCHANT

http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

AID=/20070926/NEWS02/709260377/1018

(Original publication: September 26, 2007)

MONTROSE - An infestation of mold spread out over the music rooms in

the basement of Hendrick Hudson High School has disrupted band and

orchestra practice, necessitating a cleanup that will cost more than

$100,000.

The area has been sealed off to students and staff until a major

overhaul is complete.

The basement area had ventilation and drainage problems in previous

years, thanks to a troublesome ventilator system that was prone to

electrical malfunctions, school officials said.

A renovation began in late summer to alleviate the damp air that was

accumulating in the basement. As workers were finishing up the work,

mold was found in the music-department facilities, and it was

discovered that instruments and instrument cases stored in the area

had also been contaminated.

" We're in the process of a complete renovation of that area, " said

School Superintendent McCann. " We elected to close that area

and clean everything. That's the best strategy. "

Students have been unable to practice, as all the school instruments

and their cases stored in the music rooms are being washed with a

mild cleaning agent. Additionally, a full renovation plan is

currently under way to pull up old carpeting, install a new ceiling,

take down a wall, remove a storage closet and put in new electrical

systems and lighting.

Students, who have been unable to practice, will be given clean

instruments in a few days.

" We're going to clean everything, " said McCann.

An interim practice area for the band and orchestra will be set up

in the auditorium and a domed gymnasium in the school. The music

area, which comprises four separate areas in the lowest level of the

building, will be reopened in a few weeks when the renovations are

complete.

The total cost of the renovation and cleanup will be $205,000,

including an initial $70,000 outlay for a new dehumidification

system.

Some students had noticed a strong musty odor in the lower levels on

the high school,

" It wasn't right, " said Richie Morabito, a freshman, who took a

class in the lower level of the building, " I didn't see anything,

but you could sense this smell, and it wasn't a familiar smell. It

stung the nostrils. "

Sophomore Evan Tassel said the odor near the music studios was

fairly prominent.

" I could barely sit through art class. Just horrible, " he said.

McCann said humid, damp, " funky " air in the lower level had been

noticed for the past few years, and the current overhaul would

alleviate future problems with that section of the building.

" We're getting this longstanding scenario fixed, " he said.

Students in the music program have been attending study hall in lieu

of music practice.

Reach Marchant at rmarchan@... or 914-666-6578.