St. East High School reports delayed

[Guest guest]

Two East reports delayed

By ERIC WALTER Kane County Chronicle

editorial@...

ST. CHARLES - Two reports on the mold probblem at St. East High

School that had been expected Wednesday have been delayed for at least a

week so the experts involved have additional time to complete them.

The St. School District and Kane County Regional School

Superintendent Clem Mejia were told that both reports would be ready by the

end of May, but the report from AAA Environmental Inc. - the company hired

by the school district to investigate air-quality issues in the school - was

pushed back to June 4, then June 6.

St. East has been shuttered since April 5 because of mold

contamination that students and faculty has been making them sick.

Illinois State Board of Education architect Marty told Mejia on

Tuesday that he would appear before Mejia's Community Advisory Team (CAT)

meeting Wednesday night, Mejia said. Mejia was informed through a conference

call Wednesday with 's bosses that the report was not finished.

" They called yesterday (and) said they wouldn't have a report to (us)

tonight, " he said.

is scheduled to appear before the CAT on Wednesday, June 13, Mejia

said, but cautioned that the meeting may not happen if 's report is

not ready.

The AAA report also has been delayed until June 13, Mejia said he was told

by Kostel.

The district plans to hold a formal presentation on the company's final

report at 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 18, in the St. North High School

auditorium.

Although the final report was not available, a representative from the ISBE

released some preliminary observations in a letter Mejia received Wednesday,

the regional superintendent said.

In the letter, ISBE School Construction & Facility Services Division Manager

Nona R. Myers wrote that the school district contacted the agency Wednesday,

saying the administration indicated they had additional specifications and

drawings that could change the preliminary information.

The letter recommended additional testing be done, but based on the

preliminary architectural review, a number of " deficiencies " were found.

" Based upon architectural review conducted, further testing is recommended

for radon, the carcinogen associated with fiberglass, lead in plumbing

fixtures and piping, lead paint, and chemicals in the surrounding soil at

the retention pond, swimming pool, and on various area of the site, " the

letter read.