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Mold issue now in library

First it was the cafeteria. Now Tarpon Springs Elementary School closes its library to conduct tests.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published September 29, 2005

TARPON SPRINGS - Tarpon Springs Elementary School has closed its library while officials investigate whether it has a mold problem, school officials said Monday.

"They had some information that there may be a problem with the library and so they made a decision to close it," Pinellas County school superintendent Clayton Wilcox said.

Oscar Robinson, area superintendent for elementary schools in North Pinellas, informed Wilcox of the decision to close the library Monday afternoon. Last week, administrators closed the school's cafeteria until a specialist could determine whether it has mold.

Investigating and fixing the problem in the cafeteria could take months, so school officials said they would look into bringing in a portable building to serve as a temporary cafeteria for the 596-student school. Last week, they made bag lunches off the site and brought them to the school.

Wilcox has said the cafeteria will not reopen until he is satisfied there are no health concerns.

The school district's decision on the cafeteria followed a Sept. 20 meeting that drew more than 50 parents and staff members. The crowd included Tarpon Springs Mayor Beverley Billiris, who recalled how she suspected the school had an air quality problem when she taught sixth grade there.

At the same meeting, school librarian Pauline Phillips urged officials to check out the library, saying that volunteers often complain of breathing problems.

During the closure, students will not be allowed inside the library. Adults will go in only on an infrequent basis, Wilcox said.

[Last modified September 29, 2005, 01:19:16]