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Mold test kits and school mold information obtained through Center for School Mold Help lead to further testing of scores of schools in Ontario, Canada.
to obtain Mold Test Kits go to www.schoolmoldhelp.org/moldkit.html
http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/webapp/sitepages/printable.asp?paper=www.chathamdailynews.ca&contentid=675870&annewspapername=Chatham+Daily+News
Specialist to look at mould; teachers and public board reach agreement
JACK POIRIER
Friday, August 31, 2007 - 09:00
Local News - Elementary school teachers and school board officials have come to an agreement on long-standing mould issues.
After months of public dispute, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario and the Lambton Kent District School Board will allow Dr. Om Malik, a highly regarded specialist in the field of environmental science, to assess conditions within the board's schools.
After the union claimed that the board had been denying serious mould concerns within the schools, federation president David Clegg said he is happy the long process is finally resolved.
"In the spring we felt confident there were significant mould issues with at least 30 schools," he said. "This resolution is in the best interest of everybody."
At the heart of the dispute was the right to have a federation-approved specialist to assess the mould issues within the schools. The federation was not satisfied with the qualifications of the board-approved contractors.
Clegg said Dr. Malik comes highly recommended.
"This decision will lay our concerns to rest," Clegg said.
Malik has already begun testing several schools.
Board chair Jane Bryce said both union officials and the board are quite happy to be moving forward, in the best interest of the staff and students.
Still, mould will always be an issue, she said.
"The work will always be ongoing. We live in an area where we can't get away from (mould)," she said.
There is still extensive work to be completed at Tecumseh school in Chatham-Kent, as well as at High Park in Sarnia, she said.
Other priority schools include Lansdowne, Brooke Central, Rosedale and Queen Elizabeth II (Petrolia) in Lambton County and Tilbury Area and Ridgetown Public in Chatham-Kent.
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ELEMENTARY TEACHERS' FEDERATION OF ONTARIO
PRESS RELEASE
Attention News Editors:
Elementary Teachers and School Board Agree on a Mould Management Plan
TORONTO, Aug. 30 /CNW/ - An environmental consultant will be hired to
conduct an independent assessment of mould problems in Lambton Kent elementary
schools.
The agreement to retain the consultant came about in a mediated
settlement between the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and
the Lambton Kent District School Board.
Dr. Om Malik, a highly regarded specialist in the field of environment
science, will lead the assessment team. Dr. Malik is Principal of ECOH
Management Inc..
"I am sure parents and our members will be pleased with this
development," said ETFO President, David Clegg. "This agreement is a positive
development for all of the Board's elementary students and staff."
Gayle Stucke, director of education for the Lambton Kent District School
Board, stated: "We are pleased that we have a proactive plan in place to
ensure a healthy and safe learning environment for all students and staff."
The Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario represents more than
70,000 public elementary school teachers and education workers across Ontario, including approximately 850 members working in the 54 elementary schools operated by the Lambton Kent District School Board.
For further information: David Clegg, ETFO President: (416) 962-3836,
toll free: 1-888-838-3836, cell: (416) 948-1592; Jane Bryce, Chair, Lambton
Kent District School Board: (519) 899-2619; Gayle Stucke, Director of
Education, Lambton Kent District School Board: (519) 336-1500, ext. 297; for
reference information contact Trish Johnson, Executive Assistant and
Communications Officer, Lambton Kent District School Board: (519) 336-1500,
ext. 230
History behind this agreement:
http://www.etfo.ca/MediaRoom/MediaReleases/Pages/Concerned%20Teachers%20Arm%20Themselves%20With%20Mould%20Testing%20Kits.aspx
Concerned Teachers Arm Themselves With Mould Testing Kits
March 26, 2007
Elementary teachers will be testing classrooms with mould testing kits because of fears that excessively high mould levels in Lambton Kent schools are compromising the health and safety of students and school staff.
“The Lambton Kent District School Board continues to deny there is a serious mould problem in their schools,” said Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) first vice-president David Clegg.
“It’s unfortunate that we have reached this point, said Clegg. “We don’t believe that these kits provide the ultimate in mould testing technology, but at least it will offer our members some help in determining whether their school is safe.”
According to ETFO, testing done at Ridgetown Public School in early March indicated mould levels of 5587 spores per cubic metre in one classroom. This compares with the ambient mould level (what is considered normal) of 173 spores per cubic metre. Mould levels were also higher than normal in three other Ridgetown classrooms that were tested.
“The high mould levels are very disturbing,” said Clegg. “Equally disturbing is the fact that the Board did not conduct any testing, and didn’t close the classroom with the highest mould level, until a teacher filed a work refusal.”
This is not the first time that ETFO has expressed concerns about mould in Lambton Kent elementary school classrooms. In early March, ETFO obtained test results from 14 schools that indicated mould was present in six Lambton schools and in three Kent schools.
Clegg said that earlier in the year, the Board provided ETFO with conflicting test results for other schools. Some tests revealed a possible danger, while others conducted later by the same firm seemed to contradict their initial findings.
“The school board has continually ignored teachers’ requests to have an independent testing firm conduct higher level testing in schools to ensure the safety of students and teachers. The Board says their schools are safe. We think test results suggest otherwise”, said Clegg. “Until independent testing is done, teachers and parents will never know for sure that the classrooms are safe.”
The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario represents more than 70,000 public elementary school teachers and education workers across Ontario and is the largest teacher federation in Canada.
King George VI School Council Meeting
April 3, 2007
6:30 p.m.
5. Schools in the Media
Mould has been found in some area schools. This primarily involves schools using portable. There is no mould at KGVI of which Larry is aware. All schools will be tested. “Stan Tech” is scheduled to test our school next week, after school hours. A report will be issued on any findings. A visual inspection was completed during the winter of 2007 and there were no issues presented. Next week’s inspection will be more intense and will include air quality for the whole school. The school distributed mould information prepared by the Health Unit this past week.
http://www.sarnia.com/schools/kinggeorge/council.htm
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