Tuesday, March 11, 2008
GARY | Mold is plaguing the century-old Emerson School for Visual and Performing Arts building and city officials say students will likely be moved to another Gary high school before the year is over to ensure their health is not compromised.

"There have been parents who do not want the population moved, so you're torn, but because it is an environmental issue, it is necessary," Sarita Stevens, spokeswoman for the Gary Community School Corp., said Monday morning.

Three parents who do want the students moved kept their children out of school Monday and said they plan to do so until classes are transferred to another location. The women said their daughters have complained of headaches and have suffered chronic coughs, nasal congestion and nosebleeds since the beginning of the school year.

The girls said they have seen mold visible on walls, ceilings, windows, blinds and books in some classrooms. The students and their parents blame the mold on an aging, radiator-based heating and ventilation system that keeps the building hot and moist, creating a breeding ground for mold spores. Windows in many classrooms on upper floors of the building were open Monday morning, when exterior temperatures were in the 20s.

A letter from Principal Noah Riley to parents detailing the issue was sent home with students Friday.

In the letter, Riley said the complaints were investigated by Vam Labs Inc., of Munster, which determined two forms of mold -- alternaira and cladosporium -- were present in the building. As a result, J & K Environmental Group, of East Chicago, was hired to clean the building.

Tests showed the mold was removed, Stevens said, but it grew back.

Stevens said cleaning crews were at the school again over the weekend in an attempt to remove more mold.

The school corporation is considering moving Emerson students to one of two locations, Wirt High School or West Side High School, with West Side being the more desirable location, according to Stevens.

"The bottom line is making sure you have compatible populations," Stevens said.

Sylvia Settle pulled her daughter Sophie out of Emerson on Monday. Sophie is a freshman dance major and has had a hacking cough coupled with migraine headaches since the beginning of the school year.

Sophie would like to be a choreographer and thinks having a performing arts school as her alma mater would make a difference when it comes to applying to fine arts colleges.

Her mother agrees, but has other concerns.

"We can't afford to sacrifice her health for dance," she said.

Lisa Coleman's daughter, Lynneshaa Harris, 15, is a sophomore drama major at Emerson and has been plagued by chronic headaches and nosebleeds. Coleman also took her daughter out of school Monday.

"I had no idea she was being subjected to that kind of mold," Coleman said. "She has allergies really bad as it is. Another parent had to rush her daughter to the hospital this weekend with an asthma attack."

Stevens said she was thankful for the complaints of parents and staff members, who brought the issue to the attention of the school corporation.

"I know it is negative because of your daughters' illnesses, but the end result is you're going to see a difference," Stevens said. "The bottom line is to get Emerson students in an environment that is healthy."
http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2008/03/11/news/top_news/docc13606ad8236265e86257408007ea50c.txt
 
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