Moody School mold committee gets started

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Moody School mold committee gets started

By MELISSA BAILEY, Middletown Press Staff01/25/2006

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?

newsid=15993656 & BRD=1645 & PAG=461 & dept_id=33198 & rfi=6

Middletown,CT

MIDDLETOWN -- Sitting just rooms away from the Van Buren Moody

School's cordoned-off library, which has been closed due to mold

infestation, a new panel held its first meeting Tuesday to tackle

that school's long-standing water and mold problems.

The panel reflects a wide range of those affected by the problem: A

parent, a custodian, members of the teacher's union, three school

board members, and environmental engineers.Many city officials,

including the school principal, health inspectors, and the

facilities director are also part of the team.

" For the first time, you have an issue where you have everyone at

the table to deal with it. It's a nice collaboration, " said school

board member Sheila s after the three-hour brainstorming

session. Though the meeting was just preliminary, s said she

got a positive feeling that a remedy would be reached.

Environmental consultant Gil Cormier and his firm, Occupational Risk

Control Services Inc. of New Britain, will start assessing the

school's problem later this week. Meanwhile, two portable classrooms

and the school library remained closed Tuesday.

Teacher Rodman, whose class has been relocated while the

school fixes mold in her previous room, happily accepted a place on

the committee Tuesday as well.

Superintendent Frechette said the three-hour meeting focused

on communication -- how to distribute information quickly and

accurately to parents and staff.

At a public forum last week, and at school board meetings over the

past several months, parents have spoken in outrage over the

administration's failure to fix water leakage problems, including a

faulty roof, and to communicate candidly about the mold and health

risks.

Water leaks and poor ventilation are the biggest contributors to

mold growth, experts say. Two years ago, officials said mold levels

were three times greater than environmental and health standards.

The committee will meet weekly on Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

" We're going to move forward, " said Frechette. He hoped to hold

another public forum on the mold issue in about two months.

To contact , call (860)347-3331 ext. 220 or e-mail

mbailey@....