Weakley Co. board refuses mold discussion

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Weakley Co. board refuses mold discussion

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By TAJUANA CHESHIER

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MARTIN - The Weakley County Board of Education disappointed a crowd

of Westview High School parents and students Thursday night by

refusing to discuss their concerns about a mold problem at the

school.

" We felt rejected, " said , a 17-year-old senior.

" We were hoping for a nice civil discussion, " said Pochop,

17, who is also a senior.

Addressing the mold concern was the last item on the meeting's short

agenda. Chairman of the nine-member board, Gordon , said the

board had been advised by their attorney not to discuss the issue

publicly since the issue has entered litigation.

One former student and his parents, and Joost, have

filed a lawsuit against the school's Superintendent Barber,

the Board of Education, Weakley County, H & M Construction Inc. and

air quality professionals.

" I've never seen a case stronger than this one, " said attorney Larry

Parrish, who represents the Joosts. " We need to deal with the

reality that there is a problem and deal with this issue with the

least amount of litigation. "

Parrish said he will contact the board's attorney Pannu of the

Nashville law firm King.

" We can start with mediation now, " Parrish said.

The Joosts said their son began experiencing 26 symptoms he never

had before attending Westview. The symptoms included respiratory

infections, sinus infections, ear infections, skin infections and

vomiting.

Thursday's meeting was quickly adjourned without discussion. Most of

the school board members remained after the meeting to listen to the

group's concerns.

" Certainly, we want to hear from people, " said following the

meeting. " But it needs to be in the right forum. "

said the group was not on the agenda to speak before the

board.

" We have a policy that requires that a written request is made five

days before the meeting, " said. " No request was made and they

were not on the agenda. "

Even if the group of students and parents were on the agenda,

said, the issue could not have been discussed publicly.

Since a lawsuit has been filed, the most likely type of meeting that

will be held will involve attorneys and their clients, officials

said.

Pochop stood before the board and asked them to set a date for

dealing with the mold issue.

Board members, however, remained silent though questions were fired

at them from parents and students.

" Why won't you just help us? " one student asked.

" How do you expect us to learn if our teachers are sick, too? "

another student said.

One of the teachers speaking out about the conditions is Westview

chemistry and biology teacher n Pitts.

" Somebody has to stand up for the kids before we get any sicker, "

said Pitts, who has taught for 21 years. Pitts has worked for

Westview since 1986 and is one of the teachers who moved into

Westview's new building 10 years ago.

She said the storage room in her classroom has a severe mold problem.

" I don't go in there, " Pitts said.

Pitts said she has gone through multiple packets of cough drops in a

week and experiences daily headaches because of the conditions in

the school.

Pitts said she was asked by Barber not to speak publicly, but she

has gone against that request.

" I don't think it was right to tell me to be quiet about this, " she

said. " I hope that somebody wises up. "

Parrish said he attended Thursday's meeting to see if conversations

could begin.

" The board followed the advice of their lawyer, and I'd never fault

anyone for doing that, " said Parrish who paid attention to those

that left the meeting and those who remained.

" It's good to know who's in what category, " he said. " I have to

commend those that stayed. "

Parrish met with other Westview parents following the board meeting.

" I'm not inviting relationships, " said Parrish regarding whether

there will be additional lawsuits from parents.

Many students, however, are being tested to determine whether

they've been exposed to mold.

Students continue to attend Westview, and have even experienced

negative comments from other students.

" Some people are making fun of us, " said. " But we're going to

do whatever it takes. "

Parrish seems to have a similar attitude.

" We can have peace or war and fight a battle to the end, " he

said. " We're prepared for war. "

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- Tajuana Cheshier, (731) 425-9643