Moss Side Elementary School closed until January

September 12, 2002

Monroeville school closed until January

Wednesday, September 11, 2002

By N. Blithe Runsdorf

Moss Side Elementary School in Monroeville will remain closed until January

while contractors continue work to eliminate a buildup of mold.

The school, which has been closed since February because a leaky roof

resulted in mold, had been repaired and was scheduled to reopen last month.

But the building, part of Gateway School District, received damage during a

storm Aug. 12 that sent more water into the building. Tests showed a

different type of mold formed after that damage.

Last month, the school board said the school probably would be closed six to

eight weeks for additional repairs, which it had planned to do on an

emergency basis. That way, it could seek informal price quotes rather than

going through a formal bid process.

On Monday, the board decided to " put the emphasis on quality and not speed, "

said board member Jim Brown.

That means the work will take until the end of the year and pupils won't

return until January.

Pupils will continue at the schools were they were assigned in February --

second- to fourth-graders in Moss Side Middle School and kindergarten and

first-graders in University Park Elementary.

The additional work will involve replacing newly installed carpeting with

floor tile. Also, the district will replace roof vents, remove mold and

asbestos and continue to monitor the air to make sure it is clear of mold

spores.

The district's insurance carrier is investigating the cause of the newest

damage, who is at fault and who will pay. The school district is paying for

the work from its $3 million fund balance until the issues are resolved.

N. Blithe Runsdorf is a free-lance writer.

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