Air-quality fixes arrive slowly at school

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http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/3287226.htm

Sun, May. 19, 2002

MOUNDS VIEW: Air-quality fixes arrive slowly at school

BY NATALIE Y. MOORE

Pioneer Press

Parents who have been airing concerns about the ventilation quality at a

Mounds View elementary school are seeing gradual change in the building.

Construction, mold and coughing students at Pinewood led parents to form a

task force to examine the school. Coming this summer: a new roof, new floors

and a second opinion on the school's air quality.

Clinching the changes has been a long process.

Parents became vocal about the issue a year ago when Pinewood launched a

major renovation. Last fall, many parents volunteered to help clean up the

debris to ensure the school's on-time opening, as renovations heightened

concerns about air quality.

Pinewood, built in 1955, needed its aged ventilation system updated, part of

the $4.4 million construction project that included additions.

The task force distributed surveys and swapped anecdotes about their

children's' health. Explanations from the district about the dust did little

to relieve anxiety.

" As a task force, we felt we needed to make recommendations. (A common

question was), 'Why is my child not feeling well?' " said Patty , a

task-force participant.

Principal Good has acted as an intermediary between the district and

parents. He asks parents to fill out forms if their child displays symptoms

they think are caused from Pinewood. As well, he has encouraged physicians

to talk to district officials about students' reactions to the building.

" I'm in the middle. For me, I don't know what the answer is. I want all our

kids to be here. I'm not an indoor-air quality expert, " Good said.

The district's indoor air quality expert, who is part of the task force,

said Pinewood was at worst a stuffy building - but not dangerous for

occupation.

" In a general sense, there is no smoking gun at Pinewood. .During the

remodeling of the ventilation system, dust has been generated and that dust

has tended to aggravate some people, " Lane said.

He added that the roof leaks caused mold growth in the ceilings. This

summer, the roof will be replaced and remaining carpet - which is perceived

as unhealthy - will be transformed into vinyl floors. The district is taking

bids on the roof, scheduled for completion by fall.

Lane's assessment isn't enough for some parents. Another consultant, chosen

by the task force, was brought in a couple of weeks ago for a second

opinion. In the interim, some Pinewood students have left the school.

Kathy Jereczek pulled her fifth-grade son from Pinewood in February. He is

now home tutored and not feeling sick. She said his asthma symptoms worsened

when he attended school.

" The district's position is there's not a problem. People are frustrated and

don't know where to turn, " Jereczek said.

WHAT'S NEXT

The next Pinewood Indoor Air Quality community meeting is at 6 p.m. June 4

at the school, 5500 Quincy St., Mounds View.

Y. can be reached at nmoore@... or (651)

228-5452.