PVHS mold battle may get state action

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PVHS mold battle may get state action

By Hatfield/Staff writer

http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2006/03/14/news/local/news02.

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CA.

Talks have stalled between lawyers trying to figure out how to fix

mold at Pioneer Valley High School and who's going to pay for it,

leading the school district to ask the state for help.

Attorneys for both the Santa Joint Union High School District

and the school's general contractor, C. and Sons Inc.,

have not met with a mediator for months, according to district

Superintendent Jeff Hearn. Taking the issue into their own hands,

district staff members have asked the state Office of Public School

Construction to help pay for the repairs.

Mold was discovered in fall 2004 in several buildings on campus.

Mold-infected walls and ceilings have since been removed and

replaced. Specialists continue to monitor the air quality, which

have stayed steady with low levels of mold, Hearn said.

Poor air quality and elevated levels of mold spores have been

recorded in the school's library, cafeteria and administration

building and two classroom buildings. Readings dropped dramatically

once mold-infested objects were removed, Hearn said.

Four months ago, the cost to fix mold-related problems at its newest

campus had reached $1.8 million. Hearn didn't have a current cost,

but said it was much higher.

The money has gone to monitor and test for mold, remove the mold and

pursue mediation and litigation against various parties to get rid

of the mold. District administrators have been combating the mold

for about 22 months.

" The balls move very slowly in this kind of thing, " Hearn

said. " We're trying to get the contractor up to the plate (through

mediation) to do what he needs to do, but that hasn't happened. "

The expensive battle has concerned district officials to the point

where they visited Sacramento last week to ask the state Office of

Public School Construction for help in covering the mold bills.

" The state is very supportive, " Hearn said. " They understand the

problem, that it's not the district's fault. "

District staff contend that faulty installation of windows and

exterior facilities have led to water leaks and the spread of mold.

As soon as it gets money from the state, district officials want to

phase in fixes, Hearn said. For example, their first priority is

repairing the windows since they are the easiest point of entry for

water. That fix will cost around $5 million, Hearn said.

District officials hope to get reimbursed for 40 percent of what the

mold setback will cost. By asking for the money, officials want to

avoid dipping into the district's General Fund or school bond money.

So far, costs have come from the district's retention fund -

required by state law in which 10 percent of a construction contract

is withheld from the contractor.

The $60 million PVHS opened to freshmen and sophomores in fall 2004.

With freshmen, sophomores and juniors in its second year, PVHS's

enrollment is about 2,100.

The district is trying to avoid suing for the cost, although

school attorneys are investigating legal options. The case could

take two to four years to go to trial, Hearn said.

Exposure to mold isn't a major health issue unless people are

sensitive to the fungi or have prolonged exposure. For these people,

mold exposure can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye

irritation, wheezing or skin irritation.

Hatfield can be reached at 739-2216 or mhatfield

@santamariatimes.com.

March 14, 2006