New Haven, CT - March 29, 2002

Pair Wants out of 'Sick' School

Brian McCready and Manuela Da Costa-Fernandes, Register Staff

Milford Education Association President James Fahy said the mold and air quality problem at the school has worsened, and there are half a dozen teachers and a half dozen pupils who are "still sick."

Meanwhile, Fahy said school officials have agreed to move a teacher to another school because of her severe allergic reaction to mold. He said another teacher is sick because of air quality problems and is recuperating at home. Sources said this teacher, Nancy Carter, could also be transferred to another school.

"I'm very concerned," Fahy said. "It's not just a Milford problem, it's a nationwide problem. It needs to be fixed."

The family of one of the teachers requested that she not be identified. The other teacher could not be reached for comment.

Concerns about air quality and respiratory problems among staff and students at the school were prompted when a classroom was sealed after a large area of mold was found last November. School officials said air tests showed that the area was the only one of concern in the school. Parents and teachers, however, reported respiratory problems.

Philip G. Russell, director of management services, confirmed some staff members have complained about health problems after the remediation work was done.

"Those staff have problems with a lot of common forms of mold that exist in all our buildings. Ö Most of the other staff do not seem to be affected." Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mary Jo Kramer declined to comment about the two teachers' transfer requests.

"All the areas where there was a growth of mold have been removed. Ö It's all been eradicated," she said. "Air tests have all shown very acceptable levels of mold spores." Nevertheless, parent Laura Carbone said moving teachers from the troubled school was a "Band-Aid solution" to mold and air quality problems.

"It does not make it better for anyone else. Ö It's still an unhealthy environment," she said.

City Health Director Dr. Robert England said teachers at the school recently shared health concerns with school nurses, but he has not yet reviewed the cases.

So far, he has not "seen anything out of the ordinary" among teachers and pupils at the school.

"The Board of Education has been following very closely the recommendations it got from an outside consultant. It seems like they are on track," he said.

Dr. John Santilli, director of St. Vincent's Medical Center Division of Allergy and Immunology, confirmed one of his patients had become very ill while teaching at the school last week. Doctor-patient privilege prevented him from disclosing details about the case, he said.

Santilli said he's not surprised staff members and pupils have become ill over the past week because it has rained more frequently recently. He urged the school board to "prove to the community" it is doing everything it can to address health concerns and test every classroom.

Likewise, parents like Carbone say school officials should be doing more to address teachers' and pupils' health concerns.

"If people are still having allergic reactions, more (remediation) work needs to be done," she said, adding that more ceiling tiles could be removed and surfaces bleached.

Meanwhile, Russell said the district is moving ahead with its preventative maintenance plan for tackling air quality issues at the school. In late spring, the district plans to recoat the school's roof and install rooftop air conditioners.

©New Haven Register 2002