The water leakage problems at Chorley can easily develop into mold. This problem was documented by the district's architects RSA (Robertson Strong Apgar, P.C.) in September '09 and to this date, nothing has been done to fully correct it. Associated with water leaks is the companion problem of mold and mildew which could lead to sickness and other related illnesses for students and staff members. In that same aforementioned document, it states:"The slopes of the roof direct the water run-off, especially in heavy downpours, to the building walls. Over the years the water has created algae and mildew on the walls and in some cases has eroded through the face of the masonry wall."
It needs to be mentioned that the warm moist environment in Chorley creates the perfect conditions for the growth of mildew, mold, and some harmful microorganisms. Even at low concentrations in the air, some mold species spores can cause respiratory problems and are a serious health risk.
Before one can remove mold and mildew in buildings, the first step is to correct and prevent water leakage. Unfortunately, although the water leakage problems have been identified since September of '09, to our knowledge, these problems have not been fully corrected. Both the state health and education departments have been notified of this situation.
The question is: Will these potential health risks be fully corrected before the opening of Chorley in the fall? Without prompt corrective action, the district may be exposing their students to a potential health risk and increase the district's legal exposure to future litigation.
