Amherst school to get mold tests

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http://www.wisinfo.com/journal/spjlocal/274772499061621.shtml

Fri, Apr 26, 2002

Amherst school to get mold tests

By Barbara

Journal staff

Tomorrow River school officials want to find out whether mold might be

responsible for illnesses suffered by the district's students and staff.

Superintendent Joe is accepting proposals from companies that test for

mold. The School Board has established a committee that includes parents and

board member Mark Kryshak to work with whichever company might be hired to

ascertain whether fungi are a problem, said.

" We're trying to figure out whether we have a problem or not, " he said.

TriStar Consulting Groups of Brookfield inspected the building in October to

assess air quality concerns.

Although TriStar's inspectors did not discover mold, school officials said

the company's report was not definitive.

" There's no confirmation of mold, " Amherst Elementary School Principal LeAnn

Chase said. " It's suspected. "

Mold is a growing problem in poorly ventilated Wisconsin school buildings.

Schools in Madison and elsewhere closed after students became ill and mold

was discovered.

The district will ask voters to approve a $4.4 million referendum in a June

11 special election. If approved, the money will pay for improvements to the

building's heating and ventilation systems, an addition to create new

science classrooms and a reconfigured parking lot, among other things. The

same proposal failed April 2.

Residents who have spoken out against the referendum said most people

support the ventilation improvements but balk at the idea of building an

addition.

Teachers and students have complained of headaches, lethargy, eye

irritation, sinus infections, aggravated allergy problems and dry throats.

TriStar concluded that the building's ventilation system needs to be

renovated and upgraded.

can be reached at 344-6100, Ext. 2517, or at

barbara.martin@....