'Small amount' of mold found at Red Mountain Elementary

by Dustin Gardiner - Jul. 17, 2009
The Arizona Republic

Work to remove suspected mold at Red Mountain Elementary School in Mesa, Arizona, has been completed and workers are now readying the building for the resumption of classes next month.

Katherine Bareiss, a spokeswoman for Mesa Public Schools, said Friday that work was completed late Thursday afternoon.

Yellow caution tape and a sign that warned of a "microbial hazard" had covered the front doors of the school while inside, a company that removes hazardous materials replaced drywall and cleaned up what district officials suspect was mold. Inspectors several weeks ago found a "small amount" of a mold-like substance behind the wall in a classroom, Bareiss said, adding that school will begin as scheduled Aug. 12.

Inspectors discovered the substance while investigating the school's air quality in May after parent complaints, Bareiss said.

In response to the complaints, which began in February, two air quality tests were conducted, but no mold or harmful substances were found until the inspection.

Some parents say the school didn't act fast enough to stop the problem.

Rex Young, whose daughter used to attend Red Mountain Elementary, said he transferred his daughter to another school because she is allergic to mold and district officials weren't acting.

"There is a serious problem," he said. "The school system is hiding it."

Bareiss said the district hasn't kept any information from parents, and has even posted air quality test results on the school's Web site.

"Throughout this process, we have been very open with parents," she said. "There are some parents who agree with Mr. Young, but the majority of the families with kids are happy with the school."

The mold-like substance was first found near a window well that extends below ground level. The window is surrounded by shrubbery that was getting watered too much, Bareiss said. Vegetation near the window has since been removed, and the area is no longer being watered.

The substance was also found along the baseboard in another classroom, Bareiss said.

Despite parents' frustration, Bareiss said the school is taking extra precautions to ensure the mold didn't spread, replacing dry wall throughout the building.