Parents upset with Dracut's handling of mold problem

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Article Launched: 09/26/2006 12:42:00 PM EDT

Lowell Sun - Lowell,MA

Parents upset with Dracut's handling of mold problem

Schools chief defends actions, says she gave information as she got

it

By DENNIS SHAUGHNESSEY, Sun Staff

http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_4398838

DRACUT -- If there is any good news, it is in the fact that the two

modular units behind the Avenue Elementary School in Dracut

were torn down yesterday.

The bad news is that the school's 135 students may have to eat lunch

in the classrooms and go without computers and a library for the

remainder of the school year.

A serious mold problem was discovered in the school's modular

addition two weeks ago, forcing the demolition of the structure. The

problem grew to a head last week when parents complained they were

not notified of the problem in a timely manner.

" The only communication I got came from what I read in the Lowell

Sun, " said Oliver Drive resident Dawn Nee, one of several parents

who attended last night's School Committee meeting.

Superintendent of Schools Elaine Espindle laid out a timeline of

events that led to the decision to close that part of the school and

ultimately tear it down.

" I was at the school on Sept. 11 and did not learn until that

afternoon that there was an issue, " Espindle recounted. " As soon as

I learned about it, we acted very rapidly. "

The fourth-grade class, which occupied the modular units that also

housed the lunch room and the library, was moved into the main

building toward the end of that week.

" Parents should have been notified that the fourth grade had moved

into the main building, " Espindle said. " That is a point well-taken.

We didn't know when the modulars would be removed until Thursday

afternoon, and until we had that permit, there was really nothing we

could do. "

Espindle said the addition was tested throughout the week of

Sept.18, and the decision was made on Sept. 22 to destroy the

building. Students were sent on field trips yesterday while the

demolition took place and school was called off today while the

cleanup continues.

" I think the concern we have here is parental notification, " said

committee member Dennis " D.J. " Deeb. " Parents should have been

notified earlier. We do have ConnectEd now, and we have emergency

protocols and procedures in place. "

Deeb commended Espindle and Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds

Graham for working with Town Manager Dennis Piendak in

securing the needed permits, but still maintained that notification

should have gone out earlier.

" That's why we have ConnectEd. That's why we invested in that

system, " he said, referring to the reverse telephone messaging

system that calls each parent.

Committee member May Paquette said she knew there was a leak in the

roof but was not made aware that there was a mold problem until she

read it in the paper.

" I was surprised to read it, " she said. " I don't think proper

notification went forward. Maybe we can do better and I think that's

what the parents would like to see. "

The units were purchased in the early 1990s and were used for

offices and meeting rooms. They were converted to library space and

fourth-grade classrooms about six years ago. There are nine

classrooms in the main building.