School building health concerns voiced by parent

[Guest guest]

School building health concerns voiced by parent

The Review - East Liverpool,OH*

By MICHAEL D. McELWAIN

(mmcelwain@...)

May 24,

http://www.reviewonline.com/page/content.detail/id/502373.html?

nav=5008

EAST LIVERPOOL — The deteriorating conditions at one local school

building is a concern for not only a parent, but for school

personnel as well.

" The first time I became personally aware of this problem was this

winter, " East Liverpool Schools Superintendent Ken Halbert said

about the district's Administrative Building. " We got on the trail

of this in January and February and we'll do whatever we can do and

that's what we've done. "

With a roof that " leaks like a sieve, " Halbert said standing water

will, inevitably, bring about mold.

" When you have water, you've got mold spores. Whether they are bad

or indifferent as to the type of mold is unclear right now, " the

superintendent added.

To help answer those questions, the school district brought in East

Liverpool Health District Director for an analysis.

said the water problem was apparent with leaks in several areas

of the building, but he was unable to determine or test for any

specific problems like mold or asbestos contamination. For that, the

district had Emerald Environmental conduct a closer inspection of

the building. School board President Bonnell said the results

should be known in a few weeks.

Saling took her own concerns to Halbert and school personnel

earlier this year. Her asthmatic, 9-year-old son, Shane, was having

a difficult time attending classes in the building.

" Despite having severe asthma, he does fine with an inhaler and

nasal spray when needed, " Saling said. " He rarely ever needs

it, but this year he's needed to use it nonstop. "

The condition became so acute, Saling secured a doctor's note

allowing her son to do his school work from home. For nearly four

weeks, Shane has been separated from his classmates other than a

visit once a week.

Saling blames mold and other possible health issues at the

building.

" On a daily basis he was using that inhaler and taking medications

while he went to that school, " Saling said. " Since he's been

home, he's probably used the inhaler twice in the last two and a-

half weeks. "

Saling said her other concern is for the students still in the

building and if the building is used for classes again next year.

" People need to know there's something wrong in that building, " she

said. " I'm not appreciative of the way he's been treated and cut off

from his classmates. "

Halbert said he is concerned as well.

" I met with her and listened to her and told her that her child is

important — every child is important, " Halbert said.

The superintendent said when he became aware of water infiltration,

he called roofing engineers and attempted repairs even in the middle

of winter.

" At this point, other than the wetness, I have no reason to believe

this building is evil or that there's anything wrong with it as far

as safety is concerned, " Halbert said.

The study conducted Monday will help the school system decide on how

to best handle the situation if a mold or asbestos problem is

detected.

At an earlier board meeting, Halbert called the building a " money

pit " and suggested it be abandoned as the school system downsizes.

" I can't allow us to stay anywhere where the building is wet inside

and potential health problems exist, " Halbert said.

The Administrative Building is currently the home to approximately

60 fourth-grade and special education students from LaCroft

Elementary while LaCroft is shuddered for an overhaul in the next

few years. The majority of the LaCroft students attend nearby East

Elementary.

There are also approximately 50 Head Start students at the

Administrative Building as well.

Water problems have been detected in multiple areas of the building

including a sizable problem in Halbert's own office.

" In January of this year, I started thinking, `I don't like the

smell of this building,' " Halbert said. He then started formulating

a possible plan of action to pull the students and school

administrative staff from that location and into Westgate.

The school board took no definitive action on Halbert's

recommendation, but Bonnell said the facility's days are numbered.

" That Administrative Building will probably be vacated by the end of

June, " Bonnell said.

Halbert said efforts will be made to fit all the LaCroft students in

East Elementary next school year, and the Head Start students will

be moved to Westgate.

As far as the board offices are concerned, Bonnell said a location

in downtown East Liverpool was under consideration, but a problem

surfaced with Internet connectivity and power supply problems.

Instead, the administration will also likely move to Westgate over

the summer.

The future of the Administrative Building will rest in the hands of

the Board of Education. Options include selling it, tearing it down

or attempting to refurbish it and keep it.

Halbert said it would make little sense to pour more money into

fixing the roof and other problems like the electrical and plumbing

systems if the school district no longer needs the facility.

Under the current master plan for the district, there are to be

three main buildings in the school system — LaCroft and North

Elementary and the East Liverpool High School complex.