NORMANTOWN SCHOOL HAS MOLD PROBLEMS - Gilmer's Community Schools Facing Consolidation

(07/09/2007)
Parents showed up at a special Gilmer County Board of Education meeting to complain about a mold problem that could close down a Normantown school.

Normantown is also on a list of schools to be closed by the state's "economies of scale" model.

The Board outlined a plan presented by Normantown Elementary Principal Sherry Hupp that would keep the school open by making more efficient use of the unaffected parts of the school's campus.

Teachers began to complain in September 2006 about sickness, citing an air quality test that found toxic mold on the bottom floor of the Normantown school.

Another problem is that the school also has asbestos that must be removed before anything can be done about the mold problem.

Cost estimates to fix the problem have been given at $500,000 to fix the mold and asbestos problem.

The plan is being taken to the State Board of Education for approval.

The Gilmer Board said they will likely bring in mobile classrooms to ensure they are ready for students this fall.

Most of Gilmer County's community schools are slated for closure, to be consolidated to Glenville.