Harms Elementary School is molding - and no end in sight

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http://detnews.com/2001/schools/0102/08/d01-185385.htm

February 8, 2001

Leaking roof sends parents to forum

Detroit school boss to detail renovations and building plans

By Jodi S. Cohen / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- When took over as Harms Elementary School

principal, water was dripping through the roof.

Four years -- and many promises -- later, the roof still leaks. The walls

buckle. The plaster falls. Mold grows.

And parents continue to fume.

" Our parents are pushing for a date. They want to know when this roof

will get started, " said. " This has been going on for a long, long time.

Some nerves have been struck and we are on our way. "

That is, they're on their way to see Detroit schools executive

Burnley and demand to know when work will start on the roof. About 20

parents of children at Harms plan to attend tonight's community forum, one

of six planned this week and next, where Burnley will detail recent plans to

build or renovate 13 new elementary, middle and high schools.

District officials told they plan to start the roof in the spring.

" It's a fire hazard. Water is leaking through electrical sockets, " said

Brimm, whose 7-year-old daughter is a second-grader and who plans

to attend. " All I'm asking for is a safe environment. "

The meetings likely will become lobbying forums for parents and teachers

whose schools are not on the list. The district is still deciding how to

spend about $900 million.

Thirty-three schools have roof problems, according to the district.

" We have to prioritize in terms of health and safety, " district spokesman

Stan Childress said.

Harms students and parents say the roof is an emergency.

Parents and community activists say they have raised money to build a

playscape and a central air conditioning unit for the school, but the

district hasn't pitched in.

Forum details

Detroit Public Schools has four remaining 6 p.m. meetings to give people a

chance to hear details about the improvement plan.

* Tonight, Western High School, 1500 en

* Monday, Luther King Jr. High School, 3200 E. Lafayette

* Wednesday, Cody High School, 18445 Cathedral

* Feb. 15, Redford High School, 21431 Grand River

Mears / The Detroit News

Harms Principal said they painted over mold in one of the

classrooms.

Jodi S. Cohen at (313) 222-2269 or jcohen@...