School hires 'mold' mechanic

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School hires 'mold' mechanic

a Da Costa-Fernandes, Register Staff February 13, 2002

MILFORD - Faced with increasing criticism from parents about indoor air

quality, schools officials Tuesday unveiled an indoor air quality action

plan, which included the controversial hiring of a maintenance mechanic for

$30,000 as a mold troubleshooter.

The mechanic is expected on board by April 1, said school officials at the

Board of Education's meeting at the Parsons Complex.

One taxpayer, Agvent, expressed concerns about finding a " jack of all

trades, " for the position. Finding a candidate with master's licenses in

electrical, plumbing and HVAC, he said, seemed unlikely, especially when a

first year custodian's salary is $27,300.

" You seriously have to look at this position. You will not find someone that

qualified for $30,000, " said Agvent, a licensed plumber.

Likewise, Board of Education member Torento, D-3, also expressed

concerns about the position.

" Maybe we need to re-describe the position... You are going to turn people

off, " he said.

Defending criticism about the " all encompassing " job description, Philip G.

, director of management services, said the position could attract

candidates drawn to the benefits working for a school district offered.

While the district may be unable to find a candidate with both HVAC and

plumbing expertise, said the successful candidate must " know what to

look for, " such as in-house experts who could place work orders for projects

in areas of expertise the successful candidate lacked, he said.

Criticism about hiring a maintenance mechanic aside, school board members

said the unveiling of the district's plan to handle air quality issues was a

major step forward.

" It's a comprehensive report, " said Board of Education Chairwoman Joan

Politi, R-1, about the 11-page plan.

Incorporated into the plan are items from a report by Gilbert Cormier, a New

Britain industrial hygienist. He conducted air quality tests at the

mold-plagued Kennedy School and was also asked to develop a plan for the

district to combat mold problems.

Items from his report included in the plan recommend inspecting roof drains,

grounds around school buildings and fresh air intake louvers, type of air

vent, quarterly and caulking joints semi-annually.

The plan also requires creating a log for each school about indoor air

quality activities.

Schools will receive a one-page indoor air quality complaint form/site

inspection report form to inform school officials about air quality

concerns.

By November, the district wants to implement an intensive classroom cleaning

process. A schedule for classrooms to be cleaned should be set up July 1,

the report says.

Concerns about air quality in the district's schools were prompted by

reports by parents and staff at the F. Kennedy School last year. In

November, classroom 22 was sealed after a 4- to 8-square-foot area of mold

was found. School officials said air tests then showed that area was the

only one of concern in the school. Parents and teachers, however, reported

respiratory concerns.

In January, state Occupational Safety and Health Administration agents

collected air samples from the school after a worker filed a complaint about

alleged poor air quality at the school. OSHA concluded that the air inside

the building was healthier than the air outside.

School officials have spent more than $20,000 fixing mold concerns,

including patching a leaky roof, cleaning classrooms, replacing tiles and

performing air tests, officials said.

A meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Kennedy School. Cormier

will deliver the results of tests he conducted at four classrooms at the

school in December to parents.

©New Haven Register 2002

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