School mold prompts testing

March 24, 2006

Cincinnati.Com »

Last Updated: 5:35 am | Friday, March 24, 2006

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Mason student health a concern

BY MICHAEL D. CLARK | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

MASON - A dark, organic substance found on a ceiling at Mason Middle

School is being tested to see if it's a harmful form of mold.

The substance was reported earlier this week by Meyer,

president of the Mason chapter of Citizens for Accountability and

Results in Education, an anti-school-tax group.

Meyer, who is also a Mason school parent and owner of a local

heating, ventilation and air conditioning company, said he believes

parts of the 15-foot-high drop ceiling over the school stage are

contaminated with mold and might endanger students' health.

" We don't have any confirmation yet that it is mold, " said Mason

Schools Business Director Mike Brannan.

The test results should be ready today, he said.

Earlier this week, officials in the adjacent Kings school system

announced plans to spend $1.5 million to renovate the ventilation

system at Kings Junior and Senior High School, which has been

plagued since 2001 with periodic mold, odor and humidity problems.

Meyer, who has repeatedly complained to Kings officials about that

school's mold problems, said even if mold is confirmed in

Mason, " there is no comparison in size or scope there with the mold

problem at Kings. "

No students or staff at Mason Middle School have reported illnesses

that might be connected to exposure to mold, Brannan said. However,

the 20-year-old roof above the ceiling has recently leaked.

As a precaution, air filters have been installed near the stained

area and are operating around the clock. Also, district engineers

started surveying all six Mason school buildings Thursday for water

leaks and mold infestation.

There are hundreds of types of mold. Only a few are known to be

dangerous to most people if inhaled or touched.

E-mail mclark@...

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