Not again: Mold worries at Ham Ave

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Not again: Mold worries at Ham Ave

Greenwich Time,CN*

By Shaw

Staff Writer

Published March 1 2008

http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/local/scn-gt-

moldmar01,0,6470866.story?track=rss

A Hamilton Avenue School fifth-grade class has been displaced

because of potential mold and air quality issues caused by a leaky

roof, according to school officials.

After school officials noticed damp, discolored spots on ceiling

tiles in teacher Darlene Angotto's classroom, an outside company was

called in by the district to conduct air quality tests for mold and

other health hazards. Angotto's class was moved to a smaller room

used for the Advanced Placement program for top-performing students.

The move was not caused by any reported health problems by students,

according to Sue Wallerstein, assistant superintendent for business

services.

" It was to reduce anxiety and increase the comfort level, "

Wallerstein said.

Wallerstein said there have been roof problems for several months at

the school, currently housed in a temporary modular unit on the

grounds of Western Middle School. The flat roofline of the modular

prevents snow and ice from sliding off and causes a build-up of

water. Wallerstein said the roof can't be permanently fixed until

there is warmer weather.

In the meantime, a temporary solution will be used, including using

bleach to clean the affected ceiling area in Angotto's classroom and

possibly in an adjacent classroom that also had some discolored

ceiling tiles. In upcoming weeks, the district will conduct a more

comprehensive examination of the modular's environmental quality.

Hamilton Avenue School is using the modular unit until it moves into

its new school next school year. At that point, Glenville School,

which is scheduled to be renovated this summer, will move into the

modular building.

Hamilton Avenue School parents said the incident reminds them of air

quality and mold problems in their old building, which is undergoing

a $24 million renovation. DiBella, who has a son in Angotto's

class, said the district should have foreseen the issue.

" Did they learn nothing from the old building? " said DiBella, a

former school PTA president who has pulled her son out of class in

protest of the ceiling problems.

Principal Damaris Rau sent a letter to parents this week to inform

parents of the issue.

" We are being vigilant in assuring that Hamilton Avenue School

remains a safe and healthy environment for the students and staff, "

Rau wrote.

There is another issue caused by the displacement, however. The

state's standardized testing begins Monday, and school officials are

worried about the effect on students taking the test in an

unfamiliar classroom. Rau said she'll reschedule the tests for the

fifth-graders as needed.