The scrubbing down of Lely Elementary School was in vain.
 
Since mold-contaminated classrooms were cleaned by Fire Water Restoration Services, five rooms failed air-quality tests, two of which had mold, Principal Karey Stewart said.
 
"We still have some humidity issues that we are dealing with," said Eli Mobley, director of security and environmental management.
 
A faulty air conditioner has been the cause of air-quality and mold problems at Lely Elementary School for years. Failing compressors and valves not opening have caused the classroom temperature to rise, along with increased humidity that creates potential health risks.
 
In a site inspection performed in 2001 by Apollo Environmental Inc., the finding included temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide concerns. Despite that report, the school continued to use the same air-conditioning system.
 
Staff members discovered mold in 14 classrooms when they returned to school Aug. 8 this year. At that point the district brought in Fire Water Restoration Services and they returned in early September.
 
Once the rooms were cleaned, teachers remained frustrated when they were told in mid-October that four classrooms didn't pass the air quality test.
 
"Teachers have been teaching in unhealthy rooms for several weeks," said second-grade teacher Amy Murray, who has been teaching at Lely for four years.
 
Murray, Lely Elementary's union representative, said one teacher hasn't been working for several weeks and was told by her doctor, who was provided by the district, that a respiratory infection has gone to her heart.
 
Stewart said some teachers applied for worker's compensation.
 
The Collier County School Board has approved a $7.12 million contract with Lodge Construction Inc. to reconstruct the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system and renovate the roof at the school.
 
Yet, Lely Elementary isn't the only school facing mold problems.
 
Not many Southwest Florida residents turn off their home air conditioner when they leave home, but air conditioners in schools are being shut off despite mold concerns.
Russell Clukey, the school district's executive director for support services, said school air-conditioners usually run until 5:30 p.m., depending in the location.
 
However, they can override the entire system for scheduled events.
The air-conditioners are turned on around 5:30 a.m.
 
"I would say that the air-conditioner problem is under control," Clukey said.
Golden Gate Middle School also had a faulty air-conditioner.
 
Since early August, the air-conditioner was running at half capacity because one of the two chillers wasn't functional.
 
Several room temperatures were more than 80 degrees, physical education teacher Sharon Hardman said.
 
"I think over time the one motor that was not working caused stress on the other motor. ... that was the same time that we put in the new motor," Clukey said.
 
Portable air conditioners are provided to schools when necessary, yet the principal has to request it, Clukey said.
 
"There was never a need to have the portable air conditioners," Golden Gate Middle Principal Mary Murray said.
 
Murray said one room was above what the school considers acceptable temperature —78 degrees or under - and it was relocated.
 
"What bothers me is that portable air conditioner units will not be available," Hardman said.
 
Hardman also is upset about the time it took for the school to get a functional air conditioner. It took four weeks for a motor to be manufactured and one week for it to be installed. That particular type of motor wasn't in stock.
 
"It is not the kind that can be bought off the shelves," Clubby said.
 
Von Jeffers, president of the Collier County Education Association teachers union, said the installation took longer than one week due to a circuit problem.
 

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