mold-symptom.com

DRACUT The Permanent Building Committee made little progress last night in ironing out issues over a leaky roof and troubled ventilation system at the Lakeview Jr. High School.

The committee met with the architect, general contractor, engineers, consultants and roofing contractor for the school to address the issues, but was unable to settle their differences over the cause and nature of the problems.

The roof has leaked since the school was completed two years ago, with roughly 200 leaks having been discovered so far, according to School Committee Chairman Joseph Campbell.

Those leaks have been patched as they have been found, but last month the School Committee voiced concern that the number of patches will harm the long-term durability of the roof.

In addition, three classrooms had to be closed before the start of classes this year because mold was found in insulation surrounding the heating and ventilation system.

Superintendent Elaine Espindle said the rooms were closed off so the health of students would not be put at risk.

Since the Permanent Building Committee still controls the building, those involved in its construction and design met last night to try to figure out what needs to be fixed, and what went wrong.

The meeting was marked by disagreements between the architect, contractor, engineers and the School Department's Supervisor of Building and Grounds Andy Graham, on technical issues of the problem, and whose responsibility they are.

They could not agree on whether systems were improperly designed, constructed or used.

An exasperated Espindle interrupted the meeting about halfway through to voice frustration that as she tries to function as an educator and prepare a tight budget, she is constantly forced to spend time and money on addressing issues with the town's newest school.

"This has to end," Espindle said. "I have a finite amount of money to solve this."

Espindle said bills continue to pour in, so she could not provide a precise estimate of costs so far. She estimated them to be well over $10,000.

As the meeting stretched into its third hour, the committee instructed those involved to get together and iron out or define their differences on technical issues before Wednesday, when the committee will meet again. The meeting will be at 4:30 p.m. at the Dracut Historical Society on Lakeview Avenue next to the police station.

The committee also instructed those involved in the roofing issue to get further testing and inspections on the roof completed, since they were not finished, as scheduled, before last night's meeting.