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We applaud the parent coalition formed in Tempe, AZ who are working now with state legislators re: funding for help for a very unhealthy school where many are reported ill with respiratory problems and tumors, where at least one death has occurred.
At SMH, we are concerned that the state may provide funding for new ventilation without mandates to follow strictest gov't and industry standards for remediation, first. That would be a waste of taxpayer money, seen all too often. We have been told that this school district covered up rather than remediated mold in this building, in the past. They refuse to allow parents to bring in their own inspector, to date. This is not a situation where the state should just open up their coffers.
In the absence of mandates, school districts do as they please with taxpayer funds, as we see in Houston, TX, where HISD carried out a botched remediation, for millions of dollars, and continues to make major errors.
Susan Brinchman, Director, Center for School Mold Help
Tempe
Legislators to host Corona air forum Wednesday
http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/2008/05/20/20080520tr-coronaforum0521.html
by Dianna M. Náñez - May. 20, 2008 02:21 PM
6 Comments
The Arizona Republic
Two state legislators are the latest politicians to shed attention on the poor environmental conditions at Corona del Sol High School.
Sen. John Huppenthal, R-Chandler, and Rep. John McComish, R-Ahwatukee, will address Corona parents, students and staff at a public forum at 7 Wednesday at the school. The politicians will discuss options to provide funding to improve Corona's air quality.
Huppenthal said he has stayed in touch with concerned parents and teachers since the Tempe Union High School District released a 2006 study in February showing Corona had toxigenic mold, carbon dioxide levels exceeding state standards and poor air quality. The study also said upgrading the ventilation system would improve the air and decrease the likelihood of future mold growth.
The district has invested millions of dollars to improve the school's environment but lacks the estimated $12 million it will cost to complete the ventilation repairs.
Last year, the Arizona School Facilities Board refused the district's request for emergency funds, acknowledging the carbon dioxide exceeds state standards but saying it did not merit emergency funds under the Legislature's statutes.
Huppenthal said the public forum would cover up-to-date options the Legislature is now considering, which offer the district immediate funding.
Last week, Gov. Janet Napolitano proposed a plan to ask the Legislature to approve the School Facilities Board loaning the district money. Huppenthal said he and other legislators have come up with a second option.
"The governor's offering . . . a larger loan. We're offering a smaller grant sufficient to bridge the district's needs for repairs," he said. "We're confident we'll get at least one of these things done."
Both options, he said, would be repaid if the district passes a bond election in November.
The district's bond election and additional options would also be covered at the forum, he said.
Huppenthal said parents would also be pleased to hear he and McComish sent Napolitano a letter Monday asking her to request that the Arizona Department of Health Services select an environmental consultant independent of the district to do new and expansive environmental testing of Corona.
"I think getting a truly unbiased scientific representative to come and do this would be truly helpful to the district and to the parents," he said.
Corona: 1001 E. Knox Road, Tempe.
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Suzanne77May-20 @ 4:01 PM Report abuse01
Headline says Wednesday. Story says "tonight," which is Tuesday. Which is it?
jhuppentMay-20 @ 5:21 PM Report abuse14
Meeting is Wednesday, repeat Wednesday night at 7 p.m. At the auditorium at Corona Del Sol.
Mell Hannah and Dick Foreman will also be there to present the bond electiion proposal.
The story is probably written for the paper which goes out in the morning thus explaining the "tonight" reference.
John Huppenthal
State Senator
Turbo999May-20 @ 5:24 PM Report abuse01
Will the governor hire the independent consultant or not?
Will the parents accept anyone hired by the state as truly independent?
Stayed tuned as Corona turns.
tim999May-20 @ 5:27 PM Report abuse12
It depends on whether or not they are going to do complete measurement, measuring carbon dioxide, mold in all the classrooms and taking carpet samples.
mwolffrancisMay-20 @ 7:16 PM Report abuse12
The Corona Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) made up of hundreds of concerned families in the Corona Community would be happy to work with the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) to select an independent consultant mutually agreed upon by the ADHS and the CCAC. We sincerely appreciate both the Governor's and Senator Huppenthal's efforts to ensure Corona is a safe and healthy environment for our staff and students.
bobbqraftMay-20 @ 7:37 PM Report abuse12
Sure, hire an Independent consultant AFTER school has dismissed for the summer and carbon dioxide levels are bound to be lower. The district has been less than forthcoming and at times downright secretive. It is for these reasons that our daughter has withdrawn from Corona and the Tempe Union District.
State money should have strict conditions on its use. Unless the state requires the school district to reveal whether it has actually remediated the previous mold that was found, correctly (ie. not by placing new carpeting over moldy carpeting and/or flooring, etc.), and actually remediate any current mold and dampness FIRST, according to strictest industry standards, all efforts will be for naught. One cannot renovate or repair to improve IAQ, in a vacuum. There are specific steps to remove moisture and microbial growth, under strict containment. Without students present or any cheap fixes, like we have been told were used before in this district. The final step would be to improve ventilation - if the building is even salvageable. Many are not, from the 70's. Best to demolish, not to take chances on a failed new remediation, again, due to ignorance and high costs with a total unknown about its success. Get the kids out, use alternative healthy portables (not the typical ones) or relocate, and build a healthy and high performing school that is mold resistant (www.chps.net). State legislators, you have not mandated how schools should monitor or remediate problems, nor that all new schools should be built as Healthy & High Performance Schools (www.chps.net for more info). This is being done in some other states - NY, NJ, and CT have started to pass legislation to require that schools are healthy places for kids. In the absence of mandates, the dysfunction we see in Tempe will continue. Lastly, I would be very pleased to speak with any and all legislators from AZ to provide information and education on the topic of why so many schools are such unhealthy places now - how we got to this point and how to resolve this problem for all future generations. Director of The Center for School Mold Help,
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, www.schoolmoldhelp.org. We invite the public to educate themselves on this topic by visiting our extensive website, with over 1200 articles.
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