High mold levels found at F. Kennedy School.

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High mold levels found at school

a Da Costa-Fernandes, Register Staff March 14, 2002

MILFORD - A report released this week confirms that " high levels of mold "

were found in perimeter tiles at the F. Kennedy School. Preliminary

findings had prompted school officials to hire a contractor for $30,000 to

remove tiles in 30 classrooms in mid-February, during winter break.

The report is available for parents to review at the school on West Avenue.

On Tuesday, Philip G. , director of management services, reported to

the Board of Education's Finance Committee that overtime expenses for

removing the tiles at the school combined with overtime costs for finishing

an addition at the Mathewson Elementary School in September had resulted in

a $70,000 projected shortfall in the account. Board members corrected this

shortfall by transferring $70,000 from a surplus created in the utilities

and heating account because of the mild winter, said.

Industrial hygienist Gilbert Cormier of New Britain-based Occupational Risk

Control Services surveyed five classrooms at Kennedy in December and

January. Moderate to high levels of fungal spores were found in ceiling

tiles and insulation samples collected in three locations at the building's

perimeter, the report says.

Parent Carbone, whose kindergartner and second-grader attend the

school, was eager to read the report.

Since the ceiling tiles were removed, Carbone said she feels school

officials are " following through and doing things " with Cormier's

recommendations.

Ceiling tile samples collected from the first row of tiles along the

perimeter of the building also had moderate fungal spore levels for four of

the five classrooms sampled, the report says.

Cormier made six recommendations, notably removing the moldy tiles, and

implementing a deep cleaning program for the school and 13 others in the

district as part of an indoor air quality program.

Cormier first delivered the results of the tests during a 90-minute meeting

with parents, teachers and Board of Education officials on Feb. 14,

said.

said the district is working on implementing Cormier's " biggest

recommendation " of introducing a district-wide preventative maintenance plan

for air quality issues. This requires creating a log for each school about

indoor air quality activities. The deadline for implementing the plan is the

end of the school year.

a Da Costa-Fernandes can be reached at mfernandes@..., or

876-6800.

©New Haven Register 2002