Yuma High School's Mold Remediation Costly

January 9, 2001

Ridding school of mold costly

Connie Cone Sexton

The Arizona Republic

Jan. 8, 2001

The high cost of repairing Yuma High School's extensive mold problem is now

even higher.

Taxpayers will have to ante-up an additional $658,000 for the cleanup, the

state School Facilities Board decided last week, bringing the total bill

$4.5 million. The Yuma project is one of the most expensive single-campus

projects supported to date by Students FIRST legislation.

As Yuma High's 2,500 students return to class today after a four-month

absence, Yuma Union High School District Superintendent Brown vows his

district will pay more attention to its buildings.

" It certainly will change how business is done around here, " Brown said. " We

have a preventive maintenance plan but most campuses only gave lip service

to it. It will not be given lip service in the future. "

Yuma Union is one of dozens of districts sharply criticized by School

Facilities Board Executive Director Phil Geiger for ignoring proper

maintenance.

High humidity and improper ventilation prompted a mold invasion last summer

at Yuma High School, Brown said.

Brown is proud of how Yuma High students and staff handled the crisis,

enduring afternoon double sessions at neighboring Cibola High.

" Everybody made sacrifices, " he said. " They've had their lives uprooted. "

Returning to Yuma High means a less complicated life for sophomore Jacquelyn

.

Her days began with basketball practice from 9 to 11 a.m. with class

starting at 1 p.m. She usually didn't get home until around 7 p.m. leaving

just enough time for homework.

" It's going to be good going back to normal schedule, " the 16-year-old said.

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