Mold discovered in Sullivan North High School classroom

September 27, 2007

0008.html

Thursday, Sep 27, 2007 - 01:15 AM

BY Becky

Send e-mail

Bristol Herald CourieR

BLOUNTVILLE – Mold has been discovered in a Sullivan North High School

classroom, school officials announced Wednesday.

Joe Mike Akard, maintenance supervisor for Sullivan County schools, found about

200 square feet of an unknown type of mold when inspecting the culinary arts

room at the school in Kingsport last week. It was scheduled for remodeling.

The problem is being addressed and presents no threat to students, faculty or

staff, Director of Schools Glenn Arwood said during an afternoon news

conference.

" It was discovered in a classroom that is not being used and will not be used, "

Arwood said.

" We do not know yet the extent of it, " Akard said, adding that school officials

want to " be very proactive in getting the information out to the public. "

An environmental company will work with a local contractor to develop a removal

plan. The removal is expected to take about a week.

A summer storm caused flooding in some parts of the school. The class was moved

to another area of the building so no students are in the section where the mold

is growing.

" In the morning, we will be taking samples … hopefully we’ll know what type of

mold we’re dealing with, " Akard said.

It’s not the first time Sullivan school leaders have had to deal with mold. East

High School near Bristol had to be closed for five weeks in October and November

2002 after tests showed Stachybotrys chartarum, or toxic " black mold, " on the

ceiling tile of the building. During that time, East students attended classes

in the skyboxes at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Akard said North’s heating and air conditioning system for the culinary arts

section is separate from the rest of the school so there is no danger of the

mold spores getting into the air system.

Keeping the air on will keep the temperature down, which will also slow the mold

growth, Akard said.

rcampbell@... | 276-645-2558

---------------------------------

Catch up on fall's hot new shows on TV. Watch previews, get listings,

and more!

Recommended Posts