Mold

Closes NHS Portables

By Laurie Borst

The discovery of mold and mushrooms in the portable classrooms at Newtown High School has prompted school officials to close the facilities until they can be cleaned and repaired.

The Board of Education heard Superintendent of Schools Evan Pitkoff report on the problems affecting the portable classrooms at the high school on the evening on December 5.

In an effort to ease the overcrowding problem at the high school, portable classrooms were leased last summer. Four classrooms, bathrooms, and a teacher prep space were added by using the portables.

The district was able to save a substantial amount of money by leasing used portables rather than brand-new ones.

Last week, black spotting was noticed on the floor in the portables. Further investigation led to the discovery of water intrusion through the siding, which wicked into the plywood flooring. This moisture led to fungal growth on the floor.

Bill Ryan, representative for M Space, stated, “There is no evidence of similar problems [with the units] in Hamden. Other units from Hamden are in storage, with no mold.”

It is estimated the repair work will be completed in three weeks. M Space’s crew was scheduled to begin work on Wednesday, December 6. Plywood and siding will be replaced and counterflashing installed to prevent future leakage.

M Space will have environmental testing done to be sure the space is clean. The school district is planning to bring in its own expert.

While this work is being performed, students and teachers have been assigned to “every nook and cranny available” said Dr Pitkoff.

While the portables are unusable, the district will not be billed the monthly lease charges, Mr Ryan assured the board.

In other business, Dr Pitkoff also announced the retirement of two dedicated district employees. Alice Jackson, assistant superintendent for the past five years, will be retiring at the end of the school year. Cathy Mazzariello, assistant principal at Sandy Hook School, will also be leaving after 24 years with the district.

Dr Pitkoff also announced an arrangement with Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I. Students in the culinary program at Newtown High will be eligible to receive college credit for the course work done at the high school. Johnson & Wales offers bachelor degree programs  in culinary arts, restaurant management, and related fields.