'No red flags' in Vets' mold tests, says consultant

The highly anticipated results of mold testing at Warwick Vets were discussed at Tuesday night’s School Committee meeting.

A study and report conducted by Environmental Consulting and Management, Inc. found “no red flags” that could indicate an ongoing mold issue. The report explains that fungal spore counts are generally recommended to be consistent with outdoor levels and that levels above 10,000 CFM (cubic feet per minute) are considered to be elevated and in need of action to reduce counts. At Vets, it said, levels detected in the classrooms tested were “lower than outdoors” and “well below” 10,000 CFM.

“The overall fungal spore counts within the area were found to be extremely low…Dander counts observed were also very low, indicating there doesn’t appear to be a lack of adequate housekeeping,” reads the conclusion of the report. “Overall, the fungal spore counts were excellent and it does not appear that there is an airborne fungal health concern within the classrooms tested at this time.”

Building and Grounds Director Steve Gothberg said tests were conducted on Saturday, May 13. The five rooms tested were among “the most problematic rooms as far as complaints,” and were distributed throughout the building, he said.

“It was a good section at a reasonable cost for the testing,” Gothberg said. In February, the School Committee approved $6,930 to be spent on the air quality testing.

Dan Simas of ECM also explained the testing. He said that six tests had been done in the locations and used methods of testing that identifies all fungal species. Each test ran an average of 15 minutes in each room, he said.

“Basically, in all five locations, there were below exterior baselines, so generally that’s a very good indication that there’s no fungal reservoir within the building,” Simas said.

The School Committee was pleased with the results.

“I just think it’s a really good idea that the superintendent went ahead and said ‘go ahead, let’s get all these tests done’ because it’s educating us about how to make sure the reports stay clear and put some people at ease. We had multiple amounts of tests done for different things,” said Clerk Terri Medeiros.

The results did not satisfy everyone. Some brought up further concerns during public comments.

“It was upsetting to me that the ECM only tested five classrooms in such a large school…It is important to note that the mold test protocol was very opposite of the air quality testing. [The mold test] was done on a Saturday morning when no students or faculty were in the building and the heat system was turned off,” said Judy Coben in a short speech she read for the committee.

In other business, class sizes and scheduling for the 2017/2018 school year were discussed before the School Committee. Elementary Director Lynn Dambruch reported that next year’s average class size is 18 students per class across the district’s elementary schools. Scheduling is complete and teachers received their class lists on Monday, she said.

Secondary Director Bob Littlefield said secondary school scheduling is complete, teachers have been issued their schedules on Monday, and that new schedules were built “from scratch” and “driven by student requests.” He said that the district has been “holding firm” to a 25 student per class limit and to the goal that “there be no more than one-third students with IEPs in any of these classes.”

“So far things look very good,” he said.

The next School Committee meeting is set for July 11 at 7 p.m. at Toll Gate.