Gilmer won’t get SBA funds until mold controlled

December 5, 2007

December 04, 2007

County seeks $617,253 to refurbish 87-year-old Normantown Elementary School

By Davin White

Staff writer Gilmer County educators must first find ways to lessen

the effects of mold damage and fix several fire code violations if they want

$617,000 in state money to renovate Normantown Elementary School, much of which

is closed to students.

Gilmer Superintendent Ed Toman, members of the Gilmer County school board and

parents met with state Fire Marshal Sterling , state School Building

Authority officials and others Monday morning.

Mark Manchin, director of the School Building Authority, said he wants a

detailed plan from the Gilmer County school board that addresses how they would

fight mold growth if water seeps back into the 87-year-old school.

Up to 72 hours after flooding, Manchin wants to know what materials would be

used and who would be contacted to reduce the risk of mold growth.

The school’s bottom level flooded three times in the past 2 1/2 years, causing

mold-covered rooms, a soggy floor and air unfit for children to breathe.

Students still have class on the Normantown campus, but only inside annex

buildings, modulars and a connected gymnasium. The main building is closed.

Manchin said the Gilmer board members also must tackle several fire code

violations. said they need to consider windows, handrails and steps at

Normantown, as well as the building’s structural integrity. Some of the school’s

floors rise or sag three inches off center, he said.

Manchin said the $617,253 proposal calls for rebuilding the entire base of the

main building, filling in a crawlspace with concrete and the complete renovation

of the first floor.

Toman requested $500,000 from the SBA in January, hoping to renovate the school.

Authority members denied the request in March.

Toman did not return a phone message Monday afternoon.

School systems in West Virginia have requested about $254 million from the SBA,

five times what is available, Manchin said.

SBA members decided not to award projects until after the Legislature ends its

regular session in March. Manchin also wants to see if lawmakers allow the SBA

to sell millions of dollars in bonds to help fund more projects.

To contact staff writer Davin White, use e-mail or call 348-1254.

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