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Leaking Roof Causes Problems at Torrington Middle School
By Linda Hall and Melinda Woiten, Torrington
One of the best-kept secrets in Torrington is the fact that the Middle School roof has leaked since the day the school opened in 1994 and continues to leak. Since the roof is not watertight, the Middle School has a multitude of stained, bacteria- and mold-ridden ceiling tiles and carpets. Allergic and asthmatic children are at risk on a daily basis, as they are inhaling concentrated amounts of bacteria and mold while contained in a building that is also poorly ventilated. (It has been stated that fresh air is pumped into the building every hour, but we were told by the building’s architect that only 25% of the air circulated by the HVAC system is fresh; the other 75% is re-circulated indoor air.) Otherwise healthy children, exposed to these pollution sources over an extended period of time (such as their tenure at TMS), may also experience unhealthy symptoms: headaches, flu-like symptoms, body aches, fatigue, throat irritations and other respiratory problems.
Mold needs two things to grow: a wet or damp environment and a food source. Once a porous substance (ceiling tile, carpet, insulation, sheet rock) becomes wet, it is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Research indicates that porous materials should be removed immediately and discarded once they are damaged by water and all leaks should be fixed promptly! Until we have a more thorough inspection, we are not presently sure about the condition of the building’s insulation and sheet rock.
Northeast Labs of Berlin, CT performed an Indoor Air Quality test in October of 2001 and the report was issued in November of 2001. The report was prompted by "physical complaints registered by room occupants." Ten areas in the building were tested and 75 stained ceiling tiles were noted—and the areas tested represent only a fraction of the building. Elevated carbon dioxide levels were measured in seven areas, which is an indication of poor ventilation. Mold levels exceeded the upper limit in four locations and there were areas with elevated air-borne and surface bacteria levels as well. For example, high bacteria counts were detected in the only ceiling tile and the only carpet tested. Furthermore, the report states: "Stained ceiling tiles and stained rugs are sources of bacteria and molds, and levels will increase when new water is introduced and moist weather occurs."
On April 26, 2002 an agreement was reached between the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and the Torrington Public Schools. Evidently a parent filed a complaint stating that the school system "failed to maintain the Middle School in a safe and usable condition." The Director of Facilities informed OCR that roof leakage problems have existed from the time the school was built about seven years ago. When leakage occurs, wet carpeting is wet-vacuumed and shampooed and some ceiling tiles are replaced. However, these are ongoing, recurring problems in wet, rainy weather.
Various roof repairs have been tried, which have not corrected the problem. On one rainy day, Torrington Area Health District (TAHD) conducted an inspection and their report reflected the inspector's observation of problems in a number of locations, including "actual water leaks," some with no indication of an attempt to contain them, and signs of previous leaks, as evidenced by water-staining and sagging ceiling tiles. TAHD informed OCR, and the District confirmed, that the builders undertook minor modifications to the roof in the fall of 2001. However, according to TAHD, these repairs did not resolve the leakage problems.
As stated in the OCR resolution letter: "OCR is concerned that the environmental conditions in the school building may adversely affect the ability of students with disabilities to participate in the District's educational program." The Torrington School District provided assurances to OCR that, before the start of the 2002-03 school year, the roof leaks at the school will be repaired and the integrity of the roof will be guaranteed, or a plan to guarantee its integrity will be initiated by the District no later than the first week in June, 2002. The six actions agreed upon by the Torrington Public Schools are detailed in the OCR Resolution Agreement and are a matter of public record.
The bottom line is that the roof must become watertight and the indoor environment must be cleaned up. Children are becoming sick and are developing asthma, respiratory infections, and other illnesses! It is time to stop the finger-pointing and have all involved "step up to the plate" and do the right thing. It appears that the involvement of the federal government (U.S. Dept. of Education, Office of Civil Rights) will help speed up the process, as they can and will withhold federal funding to our schools if the agreement is not upheld. We have met with Dr. Riccio, who has inherited this situation, and he has assured us that he is committed to solving this problem and he is concerned about the health of our children. At this point, we are being forced to begin a process that many have been delaying for years.
Parents can obtain a copy of the Indoor Air Quality report from the Torrington Area Health District, and a copy of the Office of Civil Rights Resolution Letter and Agreement from the Torrington School District on Migeon Avenue. Parents must become involved serving as community "watchdogs" to ensure that this problem is resolved. Seven years of water-leakage and resulting indoor air pollution is long enough!
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