Chavez Elementary School Reopens Monday

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August 23, 2002

Chavez Reopens Monday For Madison's First Day Of School

Mom Says She Won't Give School District Another Chance After This

MADISON, Wis. -- Last year, Chavez Elementary School's debut was spoiled by

mold, and its 400 students were bussed to seven substitute schools.

Now, teachers are ready to make a fresh start as they prepare their

classrooms for the first day of school Monday.

" We're very happy to be here, happy to be back in our own space -- and

ready, more than ready, to get started, " said music teacher Pat Lee-Meissen,

who spent last year teaching at a substitute school.

Since it closed last spring, Chavez has been cleaned, stripped, and

reconstructed, and parents showed their kids around the new Chavez building

Thursday feeling like war veterans. Their medal of honor was seeing their

kids happy.

" She gets to have a real gym class, she gets to have a real art teacher --

those things are important ... windows in rooms ... she was in the basement

of Crestwood last year, " said Debbie Vaccaro who has a daughter in third

grade and kindergarten. " There was no light for seven hours a day. "

" The story areas really cool -- there are lots of puppets and stuff, " Tia

Vaccaro said when she saw her new classroom. " There's a window? Yeah! "

Parents told News 3 they're optimistic that the mold problems have been

solved. Vaccaro said she wouldn't go through that again. She'd home school

her kids before she'd bus them to other schools this year.

News 3's Toni sey will be at Chavez early Monday on " News 3 This

Morning. " Tune in for her interview with Superintendent Art Rainwater.

Teachers Suing

Some teachers are suing over the mold and told News 3 they are concerned

that the school repairs are based off a consultant's report they have yet to

see. They feel the report should be posted on the district's Web site for

all to see.

Of the 71 staff members at Chavez, only six will not return in the fall.

The bill for Chavez's repairs and reconstruction are estimated at $1.6

million.

Previous Stories:

May 13, 2002: Chavez Reconstruction Under Way

April 29, 2002: Report: Mold Isn't Chavez's Only Problem

April 29, 2002: I-Team Investigation: Mold Is No Surprise

March 21, 2002: Report Blames Construction Process For Mold

February 7, 2002: Chavez Elementary Teacher Filing Lawsuit

January 29, 2002: Teachers, Parents At Boiling Point Over Chavez

January 4, 2002: Chavez School May Be Rebuilt By Union Labor

December 12, 2001: Chavez Elementary Tests Positive For Mold Again

December 6, 2001: Three Mold Types Found At Chavez Elementary School

November 30, 2001: Chavez Parents Say They Feel Shut Out

November 29, 2001: Moldy Madison School Will Remain Closed Thursday

Copyright 2002 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved.