Teachers, Parents At Boiling Point Over Chavez
More Mold Found Over Weekend
Posted: 7:24 a.m. CST January 29, 2002Updated: 8:05 a.m. CST January 29, 2002
MADISON, Wis. -- School officials said workers found mold in a dozen spots at Madison's Chavez Elementary School over the weekend.
The school, which opened in August, closed Nov. 28 because of air-quality concerns stemming from mold found in about a third of its rooms.
And things will probably get worse before they get better.
School officials said they expect workers to find more mold this week as they check behind each piece of vinyl baseboard attached to drywall.
But parents and teachers are reaching a boiling point.
Teachers and parents said Monday night they doubt they will ever get back to Chavez, and busing the kids around is compromising education.
Parents and teachers want kids at one or two locations rather than the seven now used. District officals said they searched for a better alternative unsuccessfully.
"To our knowledge, there is no facility to allow us everybody under one roof, or the K-2, 3-5," said Superintendent Art Rainwater.
Teachers said kids are missing out on too much.
"Truely our children are not getting serviced -- they are not getting speech and language, they are not getting English as a Second Language, or special needs children are not getting the services they need and if we were all in one site we would be able to consolidate those services and provide them to our students," said fourth-grade teacher Jonie Shahrani, who is also a teacher union representative.
Teachers said they're forced to spend more time on discipline and organization and less time on teaching. Students agree.
"It's hard for my classmates and friends to make the transition because it's very different to come to school and get on the bus rather than come to school and stay there," one student said.
Parents notice their students are not progressing the way they should are are considering private school.
"There are many of us that are looking at any alternative to get our kids out of the school district -- it's that bad," said Tom Young, kindergarten and second-grade teacher.
District officials won't say when the school might be cleaned up and ready to reopen.
The school, which opened in August, closed Nov. 28 because of air-quality concerns stemming from mold found in about a third of its rooms.
And things will probably get worse before they get better.
School officials said they expect workers to find more mold this week as they check behind each piece of vinyl baseboard attached to drywall.
But parents and teachers are reaching a boiling point.
Teachers and parents said Monday night they doubt they will ever get back to Chavez, and busing the kids around is compromising education.
Parents and teachers want kids at one or two locations rather than the seven now used. District officals said they searched for a better alternative unsuccessfully.
"To our knowledge, there is no facility to allow us everybody under one roof, or the K-2, 3-5," said Superintendent Art Rainwater.
Teachers said kids are missing out on too much.
"Truely our children are not getting serviced -- they are not getting speech and language, they are not getting English as a Second Language, or special needs children are not getting the services they need and if we were all in one site we would be able to consolidate those services and provide them to our students," said fourth-grade teacher Jonie Shahrani, who is also a teacher union representative.
Teachers said they're forced to spend more time on discipline and organization and less time on teaching. Students agree.
Previous Stories:
- January 16, 2002: More Mold Growing At Chavez
- January 4, 2002: Chavez School May Be Rebuilt By Union Labor
- December 13, 2001: Chavez Elementary Tests Positive For Mold Again
- December 6, 2001: Three Mold Types Found At Chavez Elementary School
- November 30, 2001: Chavez Parents Say They Feel Shut Out
- November 29, 2001: Moldy Madison School Will Remain Closed Thursday
- November 28, 2001: DeForest Schools Reveal Mold Problem
- November 27, 2001: Parents Want Answers About Mold At Chavez
Copyright 2002 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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