School renovations under scrutiny

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Posted on Mon, Sep. 11, 2006

School renovations under scrutiny

http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/15489448.htm

Kershaw County School Board voted down a new facility, but now mold

found

By MARJORIE RIDDLE

mriddle@...

JACKSON SCHOOL

The State - Columbia,SC

A moisture problem requiring hefty repairs at School is

prompting renewed questions about the adequacy of the 25-year-old

facility.

In the spring, the Kershaw County School Board voted against

building a new School as part of its $102.2 million facility

plan, opting instead to renovate and expand it.

But, after learning last week that roughly $350,000 of the $4.5

million set aside for renovations will be needed to fix moisture

damage, some wonder whether there will be enough money left to

outfit for the future.

" We've got to think about the children, " said school board member

Andy , a former School principal who voted for a new

facility. " Looking down the road ... for 40 years, there's no way

this will be adequate for the children we're supposed to be serving. "

The moisture problem at , which houses 4-year-old

kindergarten through fifth-grade students, came to light after a

June visit by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental

Control, which received an anonymous tip.

At the state agency's urging, the district brought in Applied

Building Services of Chapin. Its investigation found high humidity

levels and possible fungal growth because of a gap between the

school's interior and exterior walls.

In a July 19 report, the firm recommended sealing the moisture

source and cleaning or replacing building materials that had fungal

growth. The report did not specify the fungus found.

, assistant superintendent of operations, said the

moisture is not a health hazard.

" We're keeping an eye on health concerns, " said, " and making

sure that if there are health issues, we react appropriately and

make sure staff and students are taken care of. "

But kindergarten teacher Ann says there has been an

impact. " We have lots of absences due to our mold and moisture. "

Nesbitt, whose son, , is a fifth-grader, said he

was hospitalized in March after a severe asthma attack at the

school. He takes seven medications twice a day for his asthma.

Nesbitt said she purchased filters for her home, but it's a battle

when the school is not a healthy environment.

" Something triggered my son's asthma attack, " Nesbitt said. "

School needs a change as far as better classrooms for better

students. "

DHEC spokesman Thom Berry said it is hard to determine if there is a

health threat without knowing the type of fungus at the school. He

said the state agency won't revisit the school unless requested to

do so.

At its Sept. 5 meeting, the school board voted to seek bids to fix

the gap between interior and exterior walls to prevent water leaks

into the foundation, as well as to buy a new drainage system and to

repair moisture damage.

said he hopes to forward bids to the board's finance committee

on Sept. 22 and to the full board for a vote Oct. 3.

The 5-4 vote in April against a new School — at a cost of up

to $16 million — prompted heated community debate.

Six schools, including , are being renovated; two schools

will be built. has 429 students; the facility's capacity is

450.

Board members say it comes down to limited money and many needs

across the district.

is slated for eight new classrooms and new restrooms, in

addition to renovations including new carpeting, replacing floor

tiles and painting.

Reach Riddle at (803) 771-8435.