Brentwood Teacher Sparks Campus Mold Investigation

[Guest guest]

May 2, 2006 5:45 pm US/Pacific

Brentwood Teacher Sparks Campus Mold Investigation

Ann Notarangelo

Reporting

http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_122204724.html

Video

http://cbs5.com/video/?id=12987kpix (DOT) dayport.com

(CBS 5) BRENTWOOD The whistleblowing teacher who sparked an

investigation into mold and asbestos at Liberty High School is being

involuntarily transferred to another school.

is an English teacher at Liberty High, but since last

November, she's become somewhat of an investigator.

" What I noticed was a terrible smell that happened after the rains

in late November, " said.

She took pictures of the black mold in her classroom. During her

research, she found renovations in the school's book and copy room

could expose teachers and students to asbestos. She then paid $80

for mold and asbestos testing. They came back positive. When

felt the district didn't respond in a timely manner, she filed a

complaint with Cal-OSHA.

is also a graduate of Liberty High School. Her sister attends

the school now, which is part of what motivated her to launch the

complaint.

Cal-OSHA fined the district nearly $15,000 and issued 13 citations

for asbestos and mold exposure. Since the district is a public

agency though, it will get the money back once Cal-OSHA signs off on

the repairs.

A Cal-OSHA spokesman says the state found the district violated the

safety and health code and employees were exposed to asbestos.

" It's cleaned up, " said Liberty High School Principal Tim

Halloran. " The project is finished and we're just doing the final

touches. "

Halloran was surprised when investigators showed up because the

district, he says, followed proper procedures.

" We still don't have a safety plan in place so it doesn't happen

again, and parents weren't notified of the initial exposure, "

said.

Halloran says he did inform his parents organization.

Perhaps the story would end there, but on Monday, was informed

she's being involuntarily transferred to another school.

" You think this is retaliation, " said. " I don't know how else

to interpret it. "

Halloran denies that, " It's not retaliation. It's for health

reasons. It's a brand-new campus, and this is an older campus, and

she's been shown to have allergies. "

is looking for support from faculty and parents and admits

this experience has been isolating. She hopes people will attend a

May 10 board meeting and ask for answers.

[Guest guest]

Thanx KC.

[] Brentwood Teacher Sparks Campus Mold Investigation

> May 2, 2006 5:45 pm US/Pacific

>

> Brentwood Teacher Sparks Campus Mold Investigation

>

> Ann Notarangelo

> Reporting

>

> http://cbs5.com/topstories/local_story_122204724.html

>

> Video

> http://cbs5.com/video/?id=12987kpix (DOT) dayport.com

>

> (CBS 5) BRENTWOOD The whistleblowing teacher who sparked an

> investigation into mold and asbestos at Liberty High School is being

> involuntarily transferred to another school.

>

> is an English teacher at Liberty High, but since last

> November, she's become somewhat of an investigator.

>

> " What I noticed was a terrible smell that happened after the rains

> in late November, " said.

>

> She took pictures of the black mold in her classroom. During her

> research, she found renovations in the school's book and copy room

> could expose teachers and students to asbestos. She then paid $80

> for mold and asbestos testing. They came back positive. When

> felt the district didn't respond in a timely manner, she filed a

> complaint with Cal-OSHA.

>

> is also a graduate of Liberty High School. Her sister attends

> the school now, which is part of what motivated her to launch the

> complaint.

>

> Cal-OSHA fined the district nearly $15,000 and issued 13 citations

> for asbestos and mold exposure. Since the district is a public

> agency though, it will get the money back once Cal-OSHA signs off on

> the repairs.

>

> A Cal-OSHA spokesman says the state found the district violated the

> safety and health code and employees were exposed to asbestos.

>

> " It's cleaned up, " said Liberty High School Principal Tim

> Halloran. " The project is finished and we're just doing the final

> touches. "

>

> Halloran was surprised when investigators showed up because the

> district, he says, followed proper procedures.

>

> " We still don't have a safety plan in place so it doesn't happen

> again, and parents weren't notified of the initial exposure, "

> said.

>

> Halloran says he did inform his parents organization.

>

> Perhaps the story would end there, but on Monday, was informed

> she's being involuntarily transferred to another school.

>

> " You think this is retaliation, " said. " I don't know how else

> to interpret it. "

>

> Halloran denies that, " It's not retaliation. It's for health

> reasons. It's a brand-new campus, and this is an older campus, and

> she's been shown to have allergies. "

>

> is looking for support from faculty and parents and admits

> this experience has been isolating. She hopes people will attend a

> May 10 board meeting and ask for answers.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

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