Mold Plagues Two Sheridan Schools

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Mold Plagues Two Sheridan Schools

04/15/2002

By JOHN FLICK and ABE ESTIMADA, KGW Staff

Less than two months after an outbreak of a mysterious rash closed down

Chapman Elementary School in Sheridan, a new environmental report revealed a

mold problem in two classrooms at the school.

Mold was also found inside a classroom and gymnasium at Sheridan High

School. Mold at the two schools was " unacceptable " and posed a " health risk "

for students and staff inside, the report revealed.

Mold grows inside a ceiling in a classroom at Chapman Elementary. (KGW

Photo)

School officials do not know if the mold problem is connected to the itchy,

red rash that afflicted about 70 students, teachers and administrators at

Chapman Elementary in February. But school officials in the Sheridan School

District southwest of Portland took precautions.

Maintenance crews cleaned and replaced the ceiling in one affected classroom

during the weekend. School officials have blocked off the moldy classroom at

Sheridan High School. Students there had been complaining about respiratory

problems.

Clean-up will continue at Chapman and Sheridan High. The mold problem comes

at the same time the district is mulling building a new elementary school,

forcing administrators to make some tough choices.

Crews clean up the mold at Chapman. (KGW Photo)

" That's what makes it not an easy thing to do because the most immediate

problem is safety and health of the kids, " said Sheridan School District

superintendent Clair Garrick.

" Now at the same time, how much do you put into a building knowing that

there's always the possibility that you may have a new structure

altogether. "

The mold is blamed on a leaky roof and some vents that had been plugged up

to save energy. The build-up of condensation caused the mold to grow.