A group of Collier Elementary School students is suffering from sore throats, hacking coughs and runny noses, and their parents say the symptoms are caused by a mold problem in their classroom.

At least four parents with children in Kari Ewen’s kindergarten class have claimed the classroom poses a hazard to their children, and Ewen has complained directly to Superintendent Roger Pfeuffer and other district officials.
The school district’s risk management and environmental services department has conducted a series of tests that checked the air for mold spores and concluded that there was not enough to cause a danger to students, said department director Lauren Eib.

The district hired an environmental consultant to analyze the district’s test results and conduct his own tests, Eib said.
School and district officials held a meeting on Sept.18 at the school, located at 3900 North Bear Canyon Road, to address parents’ concerns.

Despite the district’s effort to find and eradicate what parents say is a problem, parents are still upset.
“It’s all risk management. They’re not there for the kids’ health, but to see how much it’s going to cost,” said parent Kim Thompson.

Thompson said her 5-year-old daughter has missed five days of school this year because of coughing, a sore throat and other allergy symptoms.

Thompson has talked with school and district officials and sent a letter on Sept. 4 addressed to the principal, superintendent and risk-management department, she said.

Thompson’s doctor confirmed that her daughter’s allergies are mold-related, she said.
 
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