Due to mold cleanup, Lawrence School getting revamped library

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Due to mold cleanup, Lawrence School getting revamped library

By Kendyce Manguchei

News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Last updated: Tuesday, Dec 19, 2006 - 06:35:12 am PST

Lodi News-Sentinel

http://www.lodinews.com/articles/2006/12/19/news/4_mold_061219.txt

Two weeks after receiving word her school would receive $2.9 million

to repair its mold-damaged classrooms, library and administration

offices, principal Kurey's reaction seemed sunny.

" (The) new wing will have a library, IMC (instructional media

center) and nine classrooms. We are really excited about that. A

real library, " she said. " We've been in dire need of more office

space anyway. "

In September, after continued complaints about stained ceiling tiles

from leaky roofs over the kindergarten and first-grade classrooms,

district officials tested for mold at the school. Air quality

testers discovered areas of black mold under carpets and behind

walls and ceiling tiles.

The same week, the district started leasing six portable classrooms

and placed them at the grounds of the Lodi Grape Bowl.

Kurey said the kindergarteners and first-graders have enjoyed the

experience of moving into new classrooms because they themselves are

new to school.

Black mold, also called " toxic mold, " can grow in places affected by

humidity or rain leaks. The Centers for Disease Control says that

black mold may produce toxins, but the mold itself is not poisonous.

Its presence can cause allergic reactions, like headaches,

dizziness, sneezing and coughing.

Tearing down classrooms, restrooms, offices, roofs, windows,

ceilings and carpets should take the rest of the school year and the

summer. The demolition is supposed to begin this week after students

are let out for winter break.

The school district and its contracted mold removal company, ADR

Environmental Group, Inc. estimated the project at $2.9 million.

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Funding comes from the $138-million Settlement, a 2000 San

Francisco class-action suit. It was filed on behalf of about 100

children, claiming that state education agencies failed to provide

equal access to safe and decent quality school sites, teachers and

instructional materials.

The state's Office of Public School Construction does not

specifically track funding provided to alleviate mold issues. Bill

Branch, a spokesperson for the office, said that mold is seldom

identified as the single problem and is more generally the result of

water intrusion resulting from structural problems. Also, funding

provided to alleviate mold is not nearly as common as it is for dry

rot and structural deficiencies, he said.

It wasn't known how much Lodi Unified has spent on mold cleanups in

recent years, but McNair High School also had a mold and leakage

problem that affected administration offices and part of the

cafeteria in August.

Contact reporter Kendyce Manguchei at kendycem@lodinews .com.