School denied funds to fix vent system

February 20, 2008

East Valley Tribune - Mesa,AZ*

Natekar, Tribune

Corona del Sol High School will not receive $17 million in emergency

funding to fix an aging ventilation system that school officials say

is making students and faculty sick.

School staff members received an e-mail Tuesday morning informing

them of a judge's ruling upholding the state's decision to deny

their request for funds.

" I was shocked. I felt sick, actually, " said Leah Fleming, a world

history teacher. " I thought it was going to be a shoo-in, that

people would see there was a huge need and that people are getting

sick from recycled air and, for some reason, we were denied. It's

just ruined my whole day. "

Fleming, who has taught at the school for 13 years, said she gets

sick often, blaming illnesses such as walking pneumonia and sinus

infections on the poor air quality.

Tempe Union High School District officials say the school suffers

from elevated carbon dioxide levels found to be above the state's

acceptable standard, as well as mold growth and unpleasant odors

that plague hallways and classrooms.

Superintendent Steve Adolph has reassured parents the school is safe

enough to remain open, but he and other officials do think the

building's conditions are presenting " serious health issues " for

staff and students, especially those with medical conditions.

The Arizona School Facilities Board inspected the building and

concluded that while the air quality does need " immediate and proper

attention, " it was not dire enough to require emergency state funds.

Fleming said she wishes the community would lend more support to the

teachers and staff, and contactstate lawmakers about the issue.

" It doesn't seem like the parents are really concerned about it,

other than a few here and there, " she said. " When parents are upset

about their child's grade or a class being dropped, then you hear

about it instantly, you have phone calls and special meetings. But

it just doesn't seem like any of that has happened in our community. "

Meanwhile, the Tempe district has joined two other school districts

in a lawsuit against the state, in an attempt to force the

Legislature to fully fund building-renewal funds.

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