August 31, 2004
Smelly School Sparks
Mold Concern
While students at a midtown school are learning about math and science,
their parents have learned a hazard is lurking in the halls. A smelly
situation at Idlewild elementary school has officials scrambling to ensure
your child's safety.
Idlewild third grader Tyler Liggins is learning about
reading, writing and 'arithmetic. He's also learned school officials are
working to prevent a potentially deadly problem from forming inside the
school.
"They got mold on it," explains Liggins.
School officials sent a letter home to parents alerting
them teachers complained of odors and moisture on the second floor, east
side of the building. A private company was immediately called in to conduct
a mold test.
"It's absolutely not mold," says Memphis City Schools
spokesman Vince McCaskill.
What was found is excessive moisture. And that can
sometimes lead to mold. As a precaution, Memphis City Schools officials tell
us classes on the second floor have been relocated. The entire east part of
the building blocked off to employees except for the maintenance workers we
spotted wiping down the area.
"We basically isolated the area so that maintenance can
get in and go through the process of identifying the source of the
moisture."
So far we are told no illnesses or sicknesses have been
attributed to the conditions.
Good news to Tyler Liggins' mom. She's also comforted by
all the safety steps the school system is taking to protect her child and
hundreds of others.
"If I felt nothing was going on I'd be concerned, but
since they're taking steps and doing things I don't have any concerns," said
Tyler's mom, Yolanda Allen.
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