Middle School tackles mold

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Middle School tackles mold

Kennebunk,ME

By Bodwell

jbodwell@...

http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/yorkstar/01262006/news/84746.htm

According to OSHA, " children are more susceptible to health problems

attributable to molds. "

KENNEBUNK — When its doors opened in January 2002, the Middle School

of the Kennebunks was the talk of the town. At a cost of $16

million, no one could have imagined that even at its opening, the

school's roof was already leaking.

Now, four years later, the effects of that trickling water are being

felt.

MSK Art Teacher and President of the Teachers Association

McCarthy said Friday the staff has known for some time there's

been " a problem " with the school.

" Teachers have had a lot of sinus infections, " McCarthy said, " sore

throats, and runny noses and eyes. "

McCarthy said the MSAD 71 administration has been very receptive to

the teachers' concerns.

" We have a good working relationship with both Toms, " McCarthy said,

referring to Superintendent Tom Farrell and Operations Manager

Tom Maines.

" They inherited this problem, " she said, " and they've been willing

to listen and deal with it. "

October's air-quality tests, ordered by the administration, came

back in late December. The tests showed five areas in the school

were positive for mold. It was determined that a leaky roof was the

cause of a growing mold problem.

" The sad news is that we have a problem, " McCarthy said. " The good

news is that it's fixable. "

" Hopefully, " she continued, " it will not be fixed at a cost to the

taxpayers. They don't deserve to pay again for a new roof. "

According to Farrell, the roof is still under warranty from Payton

Construction. Payton, a contractor headquartered in Boston with a

branch in Saco, put the GenFlex roof on the school. It appears that

GenFlex's " PVC-membrane " roofing system is what has failed.

Farrell said taxpayers will not be expected to foot the bill for a

new roof.

This week, representatives from Payton and GenFlex will visit the

school with Maines and Carl Cook, who has been hired on as

an " owner's representative. "

Looking at the warranty, Farrell said he believes that new materials

will certainly be covered. He's not sure, however, about labor.

Also, there is the internal damage caused by the leaking roof

(ruined Sheetrock, etc.).

" Who's going to pay for that, " Farrell said, " is the question right

now. "

Farrell said there are options should negotiations with Payton and

GenFlex fail. " We've already contacted our insurance company, " he

said, " and could go that route. Or we could end up in a courtroom. "

Farrell said it's unlikely that the district will end up in a

lawsuit. " So far, everyone's been very cooperative, " he said.

Maines has been instructed to have a strategic plan by mid-March for

attacking those internal damages. Maines is working with a local

volunteer who holds a Ph.D. in environmental studies to develop the

mitigation plan. The interior work, Farrell says, should take place

over the summer.

Farrell said that some issues have already been dealt with.

Improperly working air vents had led to poor air circulation in some

areas of the school. Those vents, Farrell said, have been fixed.

" I'm hoping, " McCarthy said, " that the internal plan is done by mid-

March, the work started in the spring, and finished by the next

school year. That's what I am hoping for the students and teachers

here. "

In addition to a staff of 50-plus, MSK houses 600 students,

encompassing grades 6 through 8.

According to OSHA, " children are more susceptible to health problems

attributable to molds. "