Video - Mold concerns expressed in some East Feliciana schools

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Mold concerns expressed in some East Feliciana schools

Posted: Sep 12, 2008

WBXH - LA*

By Cheryl Mercedes

http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=8997078

JACKSON, LA (WAFB) - A learning complex that houses an elementary,

middle, and high school in , Louisiana is still closed while

crews clean up mold and debris. On the other hand, class is in

session at Clinton middle and high schools. However, some parents

feel like East Feliciana schools opened the doors too early.

Students at Clinton High School returned for day two of class after

Hurricane Gustav made an appearance on their campus, leaving a moldy

mess through some of the building. If you can't spot it, that's

because the mold-stained tiles have been ripped from the ceilings

and washed from the halls. Sure, there are water spots here and

there, but you won't find any above students in classrooms,

hallways, or the gym. Superintendent Beauchamp admits

there's still work to do, but he says it's not enough to keep

students from hitting the books. " An inspector came in at the end of

the day. We told him how we cleaned it and it was released from

inspection... Good. "

Over at the school complex, folks have a different story to

tell. The tiles have been pulled from the ceiling and put into

piles, waiting for maintenance workers to clean. There is what

appears to be mold growth on columns and backs of seats in

classrooms throughout the school. It is also found on ceilings, in

light fixtures, growing on the carpet, and splattered all over the

cafeteria beams and walls. The complex was closed under damp and

humid conditions for more than a week. The end result is so bad that

Superintendent Beauchamp says school maintenance workers can't

tackle the task alone. He has a message for parents who think school

officials are cutting corners. " We're not going to let students come

back until it's clean. "

Beauchamp says he hired professional contractors to come in and

clean out the complex. He says the school should reopen

Tuesday. Parents can expect to hear word late this weekend or Monday.