Mold irritates employees

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Mold irritates employees

Manatee school district replacing pieces of wall at newly obtained

Superior Electronics building

Bradenton Herald - FL

By NICHOLAS AZZARA

nazzara@...

http://www.bradenton.com/local/story/150314.html

MANATEE --Four school district employees have suffered minor

respiratory symptoms and watery eyes, but missed no time from work,

because of the moldy walls inside a building the district purchased

almost three months ago.

School board officials knew the Superior Electronics building off

U.S. 301 had some mold damage, and that they would need to spend

more to clean up the problem. Between 30 and 40 people were working

in the building, and four of them reportedly complained of minor

irritations they experienced when crews began to replace pieces of

wall.

" I told the school board there was some remediation we had to do to

that building, " schools Superintendent Dearing said

Tuesday. " We knew we had mold problems in the exterior walls, and

that's what it's confined to. It was not a surprise. "

The Manatee County School District on June 18 closed on two

buildings and 18 acres at the northwest corner of the U.S. 301 and

63rd Avenue East intersection. The district purchased the property

from Superior Electronics Partnership for $15.8 million.

The building will be used to consolidate school employees who are

now scattered in various locations throughout the county.

Dearing said he told board members in March that an additional $2.2

million would be required for interior remediation, road exits and

parking.

The source of the problem, according to Assistant Superintendent Tim

McGonegal, was leaky window seams. Moisture slowly seeped in through

tiny cracks in the wall and became trapped behind drywall, which was

covered with vinyl wallpaper.

McGonegal said the situation created an aquarium effect and the

walls essentially became " a little hothouse. " He said employees were

apprised of the building's condition.

" We didn't think anyone would have a reaction, " McGonegal said. But

Dearing noted that " some have a different tolerance level " from

others.

In recent weeks, moldy portions of three walls downstairs and four

rooms upstairs were removed. Air-conditioning ducts were cleaned and

carpets shampooed. While the work is completed, the affected

employees, who are instructional technology specialists and

information systems staffers, have returned to their former offices

at Matzke Complex off 27th Street East.

Dearing said more than $20,000 has been spent to remedy the mold

situation - much more than what was required.

" We've done everything to make the building as best as it can be, "

Dearing said. " We want our employees to be safe. We're self-insured.

Was there mold? Yes. Is it remediated? Yes. "

Azzara, county reporter, can be reached at 745-7081.