Video - Summer Flood Causes Mold In East Dale Classrooms

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Summer Flood Causes Mold In East Dale Classrooms

Posted Tuesday, October 9, 2007

WBOY, WV*

http://www.wboy.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory & storyid=29994

School officials await mold test results; health concerns not yet

known.

Story by Kiley

FAIRMONT -- It's been an tough start to the school year for East

Dale Elementary School in n County. A flood late this summer

caused problems in the preschool. Those preschoolers were moved into

temporary rooms while the mess is cleaned.

Now, the flood has caused what is thought to be mold problem in the

upstairs kindergarten classrooms.

East Dale principal Diane Burnside said they have not yet identified

what type of mold is in the building. " There are so many different

types of mold, indoor, outdoor, grass, we just don't know right now

what type it is, " she said.

And not knowing is causing some health concerns for parents.

Parent Messenger said her daughter is not at risk because

she doesn't have any allergy problems.

" But I know other kids have had some problems, " Messenger said.

Those problems could be from the mold growing on the walls in at

least two classrooms.

Burnside said they do not know for sure.

" I know students have runny noses, coughs, we all have allergies,

but I cant say its because of the school, " she said.

A consulting company has been called in to determine the type and

danger of the mold. They are taking air samples and mold samples

from the walls and floors.

Since the flood in the preschool in August, the school has been

addressing the possibility of mold. The have already taken out the

carpet and are cleaning the flooded floors.

Burnside assured parents the school is " doing exactly what we are

told to do, you know it's all about the safety of the students. We

want them to feel safe in their environment, " she said.

When the mold test results are in the school will hold an open

meeting with parents explaining what they found. A letter already

went home on Oct. 1 explaining the situation to parents. Messenger

said she believes the school is taking care of problems as much as

the school possibly can.

Two new mobile classrooms are being put up outside East Dale. They

will replace the classrooms damaged by the flood.