District 88 busy with mold, asbestos removal

By KREMENA TODOROVA

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- District 88 is busy with a host of mold and asbestos removal projects this summer, in its most significant facility improvement effort since 1997, according to Facilities Director Scott Hogen.

Many projects are in response to a study last fall that found mold growth in many parts of school buildings, particularly in newer construction. For convenience reasons, asbestos projects are being done in conjunction with mold removal.

The entire first-floor classroom area at the High School is being "torn apart," cleaned up and reconstructed, said Hogen. Ceilings and light fixtures are being removed, and, after cleaning the mold, replaced with new ones. Mold is being removed from piping, and asbestos pipe coverings are being replaced.

Ceilings, lights and pipe coverings are also being cleaned, removed and replaced at high school locker rooms, said Hogen. Pipe coverings have been removed, the mold cleaned, and the covers are waiting to be replaced at four large mechanical rooms at the high school, as well.

At Washington Elementary, all basement carpeting is being taken out and replaced with vynil tile -- except for small reading areas, where new carpet will be installed, said Hogen. The exterior walls are being torn down at two classrooms in the new addition. The mold is being removed and the walls are then being replaced.

Exterior walls are being removed, cleaned and replaced at the entire new addition of Jefferson Elementary, said Hogen. Carpet is being replaced with tile floors in several classrooms.

The floor in the band room at the MIddle School, which last fall's study found to be least affected by mold, is being replaced with vynil tile to remove asbestos, Hogen also said.

As part of the effort to control mold growth, a contractor is also checking heating and ventillation systems at the High School, Jefferson and Washington, to determine whether they are operating at maximum capacity and adjust them accordingly, said Hogen. Separate, new ventillation systems are being installed in computer labs and media centers across the district, which until now have been linked to the building-wide systems.

The summer projects are the district's largest since construction and remodelling in 1997, said Hogen. Specifically, the district is spending about $50,000 on improving the efficiency of heating and ventillation systems; about $260,000 on mold and asbestos removal; $320,000 on reconstruction after the removal and cleanup; and about $280,000 on new ventillation systems at the computer labs. The cost of the new boilers is about $30,000, with an installation contract still to be awarded.

Except for mechanical, ventillation and boiler systems, which are being paid for with capital improvement funds, the summer projects are being funded with health and safety funds.

The projects are being done simultaneously at all buildings, said Hogen. Except for the boiler installation, they should all be completed by Aug. 15, in time for the start of the new school year. Hogen stressed the deadline appears very realistic, with the cleaning and disinfecting crews actually being ahead of schedule at this time.