The Daily Item Lynn MA: Classical High School now has problems with mold

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The city of sin!!!

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Classical High School now has problem with mold

(http://www.thedailyitemoflynn.com/news/view.bg?articleid=12413 & format=)

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By Jill Gadsby

Friday, June 23, 2006

LYNN -- Mold has been found in between the walls at Classical High School

and the city is seeking bids to remove it.

According to Inspectional Services Director Donovan, the mold was

discovered in the school's main corridor and in the library during air quality

testing in January and March.

" Due to moisture intrusion around the skylights, there is some mold growing

on the backside of some sheetrock, " he said. " If you walked in there, you

wouldn't see anything, but if you poked a hole in the wall, you'd see it. "

Because the mold is trapped in the cavity between interior and exterior

walls, Donovan said it does not pose any health risk. He said the mold was only

discovered because of the thoroughness of the testing.

" They probed the wall boards and that's how they found it, " he said. " They

found it and we're taking care of it. "

Superintendent of Schools Kostan also indicated there was no danger

to students or staff.

" We've been doing testing down there on a regular basis, " he said. " We just

want to take every precaution we can. We want to take a look at it and

correct it if it's a problem. "

Donovan said the moisture that led to the mold is due to problems with what

he refers to as the building envelope, or its façade.

In April, an engineering firm declared the problems were the result of 12

different construction and design deficiencies.

To repair the problems, the firm recommended six steps, including removing

the building's entire brick veneer so it can be rebuilt with the appropriate

air barriers, weatherproofing and flashing.

The firm estimated repairs to the façade would cost $3.7 million.

Donovan said additional mold was found in the guidance office, but it was

unrelated to the façade.

" There were only a few spots where we had visible mold on some ceiling tiles

that was the result of some plumbing problems, " he said. " I believe the

custodians already came and (replaced them). "

He said the city has waited to remove the mold between the walls until

school lets out for the summer.

A pre-bid walk through and conference is scheduled Wednesday at Classical

for companies that are interested in submitting a bid to the city. Bids are due

on July 12.

In addition to the money needed to remove the mold and fix the façade, $14

million to $19 million is needed to repair the concrete slab the 6-year-old

school sits on.

The slab is sinking into the former landfill underneath Classical, creating

crumbling walls, two-inch gaps where one part of the building has pulled away

from another, buckled ceiling tiles, cracked and lifted floor tiles,

shattered trophy case glass, misaligned doors, and jagged floor-to-ceiling

cracks in

the walls.

The city has already spent $800,000 on temporary repairs and consultant fees

and it is expected another $3 million will be needed to prepare alternative

locations for 1,500 Classical students to attend school and for

transportation to get them there.