Mold problem at L. Pottsgrove Elementary first noted in '96

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Thursday, September 14, 2000

Mold problem at L. Pottsgrove Elementary first noted in '96

By Wermers

INQUIRER SUBURBAN STAFF

LOWER POTTSGROVE - After learning of a 1996 report detailing mold odors in

Lower Pottsgrove Elementary, parents here expressed outrage at the

Pottsgrove School District for failing to follow the document's

recommendations then.

The report from the Montgomery County Health Department, based on

investigations performed in July and August 1996, had included several

suggestions that were again made in a consultant's report issued two months

ago: evaluating the ventilation system to ensure proper air circulation;

performing routine maintenance to prevent dirt and moisture from entering

the ventilation system's ductwork; and replacing water-stained ceiling tiles

to reduce contamination due to microbiological growth.

Superintendent Sharon Nalbone said the district's administration

had not been aware of the 1996 inspection or its findings.

Echoing the sentiments of many of the 60 parents at a school board meeting

Tuesday night, Upper Pottsgrove parent Gallisdorfer said: " I don't

believe for a minute that the Health Department could come in and interview

the principal and maintenance people, and you would not know anything about

that. "

Gage, the county health director, said yesterday that his

department's policy was to call the superintendent of a school district " as

a courtesy " when it was inspecting a building. However, the department does

not have any documentation showing whether it contacted Pottsgrove's

administration after issuing the 1996 report to the school. And

said that Boyce, who was the principal of the school at the time,

never contacted her.

The 1996 report said that interviews were conducted with Mohamoud Kobeissi,

the district's supervisor of buildings and grounds; Boyce; and

Bonekemper, a kindergarten teacher.

Bonekemper told the health-department inspectors that the mold odors had

been noticeable for the " past three years " and that she had been sick three

times in the 1995-96 school year. Boyce told the inspection team he had

smelled " moldlike " odor in two classrooms and the guidance office.

The health department found moldlike growth in a classroom, and noted poor

air circulation and water-stained ceiling tiles in four rooms.

The department inspected the school again last December after receiving a

steady stream of complaints of headaches, nausea, vomiting and other

symptoms from students, teachers and staff at the school. Parents said they

were not notified of this action until June.

Meanwhile, the first day of classes at the school is still uncertain,

pending a report on the mold cleanup by a consultant to the district. Other

schools in the district began classes on Aug. 29.

Wermers' e-mail address is jwermers@... © 2000 Philadelphia

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