Seattle School District has problems....Again

[Guest guest]

by KYLE MOORE / KING 5 News

Posted on April 13, 2010 at 3:41 PM

Updated yesterday at 6:02 PM

SEATTLE - It's a brand-new school, but several Seattle students say their

classrooms are making them sick.

This morning, Astara Leeder-Chenvert say the smell of wet paint made her

sick to her stomach.

" I was feeling sweaty and hot. I thought I was going to throw up, " she

said.

So this 7th grader texted her mother to come pick her up. Chandre Chenvert

says her daughter has been getting sick for months,

" It’s scary. You don’t feel comfortable sending your kids to school if

they will have a long-term problems, " she said.

Parents say the problems at South Shore K-8 began last December. Sixth

graders began reporting symptoms such as headaches, nausea and rashes. When

students returned from spring break last week, parents say the problem got

worse. On Tuesday, several parents pulled their kids out of the classes

because of student complaining of illness.

Alyssa Royse says she has complained to the district since December. Royse

is frustrated.

" It’s been going on for months and we have not gotten any answers, " she

said.

Parent Selle said she started getting sick when she came to pick up

her daughter today.

" I became nauseous. My throat was sore and sticky. I also got a headache, "

she said.

Selle worries about her 6th grade daughter’s long-term health.

" Close the school . No amount of toxicity is acceptable when it comes to

your children’s health, " she said.

Seattle Public Schools is aware of the problem.

" We are actively working on this issue, " said district spokesperson Patti

Spencer.

Spencer says the district has brought in professionals to test and monitor

the air quality levels in the classroom.

Spencer says the problem worsens when the HVAC system is not on. The system

is now being run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Spencer says the HVAC system was turned off for spring break week. When

students returned this week, Spencer says the students began experiencing

headaches and nausea.

Tuesday the District took the drastic step of shutting down the second

floor wing where the complaints are coming from.

" We are concerned for our students and staff so we are taking action,†said

Spencer.

Several parents say they plan to keep their kids out of school until the

problem is located and permanently fixed.

Armour is one of those parents. " It’s very concerning. It’s

upsetting. Not only are our children learning in this building, they are

developing, " she said.

Sharon Noonan Kramer