Modular Classrooms Have Possible Mold Problem

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Modular Classrooms Have Possible Mold Problem

Oct 22, 2007 11:12 pm US/Central

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DeRusha

Reporting

http://wcco.com/local/local_story_295230816.html

(WCCO) St. Francis, Minn. A Minnesota school district is relocating its third

and fourth grade students after discovering a possible mold problem in the

modular classrooms at St. Francis Elementary School in Anoka County, Minn.

" I think I'm appalled at the condition, " said Tom Larson, Director of Community

Education and Services for Independent School District 15. " We had to get kids

out of here right away. "

According to Larson, school leaders grew concerned after repeated complaints

about the damp, moldy smell in the modular classrooms. The district rents the

temporary structures for approximately $6,000 a month from ModSpace, a

Pennsylvania-based company.

On Thursday, Larson and his maintenance staff pulled back the inside walls,

revealing severe water problems.

" This was all soaking wet. And down in here, " he said, indicating where the

insulation was, " where you even touched it, it just squeezed out the water. "

Larson showed WCCO-TV soaked insulation and rotting wood beams. He also found

dark spots on the wood in the walls and the floors that he believed to be mold.

The school district sent samples off to be tested, and the results of that test

have not yet come back.

Teachers at the school spent the weekend moving out of the modular classrooms,

and setting up temporary classrooms. Third grade students will squeeze into the

existing brick and mortar elementary school. Fourth grade students will be bused

to a building now being used for art classes.

" I was sick for six weeks last spring, just coughing constantly, " said

Holsten, a third grade teacher at St. Francis Elementary.

Holsten said she's not happy about relocating her classroom to the school's

gymnasium, but she said it's the right thing to do for student safety.

About 260 students in 12 classrooms are affected by the decision to evacuate the

modular classrooms. The district is in discussions with ModSpace as to what

happens next.

" I've had two kids go through the school system. I wouldn't want them in this

classroom, " said Larson.

" There definitely shouldn't be water in it, " said Ken Wagner, father of fourth

grader Kalley. He said he's not thrilled that his daughter will have to spend

more time on the bus, but, he noted, " And I guess I wouldn't feel safe sending

her back in there. "

St. Francis's modular classrooms are eleven years old, although they've only

been in St. Francis for two years.

ModSpace issued a statement from spokesman Ted Sikorski:

" We take the health and safety of school children in our modular buildings very

seriously. The matter of the St. Francis School has been brought to the

attention of ModSpace corporate management. We are investigating the situation

at this time. "

Tom Larson said his district will only accept a brand new modular building,

direct from the plant.

" In good faith we go out and get a portable classroom and you think you'll get a

quality product and we really think that we didn't, " he said.

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