Landon: Mold Found “Again” at Staples High School

In an unusual holiday weekend e-mail today to parents, Westport Schools Superintendent Elliott Landon disclosed that mold had been found at Staples High School for the second year in a row.

Landon, who has come under parental criticism recently for his handling of mold and other air quality issues at King’s Highway Elementary School, said he was informed this week by Gary Martin, facilities director, that mold had been found in the choral room.

He said a similar problem was found in the same room last year as well as in the school library and auditorium. He said it had been remediated by the School Building Committee, an independent town body which had overseen the school’s recent $78 million renovation and expansion.

No public announcement was made of the initial discovery at mold at the high school, just as there was none when it was found in a portable classroom last summer at King’s Highway.

Landon said that on Thursday, he, along with other school officials, air quality consultant Robert Brown of Hygenix, Inc., and Sue Jacozzi, director of the Westport Weston Health District, visited the choral room as well as the auditorium and library.

That was the same day that a special committee investigating the mold issues at King’s Highway met late in the day but no mention was made there of the new problems at Staples. (See WestportNow Aug. 30, 2007)

“Testing is being performed in all three of these areas and the results should be available to us some time next week,” Landon wrote.

He said based on requests from staff, additional testing has been ordered for the guidance suite, the Black Box Theatre, and the pupil services office.

Landon said there have been “ongoing problems” with the school’s heating and air-conditioning system that have caused high humidity in parts of the building, resulting in mold in the choral room and dampness in the auditorium and library.

He said he expected the industrial hygienist hired by the school system will be able to identify the causes of the high humidity and “the reasons for the on-going growth of mold at Staples” and recommend ways to eliminate the problems.

“I, personally, feel the humidity issues are related to our HVAC problems, and would like to find a permanent solution,” Landon said.

He said he planned to discuss the issue with the Board of Education at its Sept.10 meeting when he will make his recommendations regarding the Staples air handling system as well as make a recommendation about air quality testing at other schools.

In closing, Landon said: “Best wishes for a very pleasant Labor Day weekend.”