I am aware that Carrollton Elementary was a topic on the Carrollton 411 page September 17. I am also aware that someone posted an erroneous comment alleging that I had stated that our ventilation system “costs too much to fix and that kids need to wear masks.” That’s untrue. I am fully aware that the funding for our new HVAC system has been granted, and the only time I said that students “need to wear masks” was when it was mandated during the COVID pandemic. This particular person’s post stands as another example of why not everything found on FaceBook should be believed. However, what you can believe is the following information:
Last spring mold was found in the closet of room 205, and members of the IWCS Operations Department identified a leaking water pipe as the cause. Students and staff were relocated to another space in our building while the Operations Department fixed the water pipe and disposed of all materials from the closet. The closet and shelves were repainted with mold resistant paint and a HEPA filter was installed in the classroom. Caregivers represented by the students in that classroom were notified of the matter.
After the discovery, air quality testing was conducted for classrooms and common areas throughout our school. Upon receipt of the testing results and the identification of high levels of mold and stachybotrys mold, IWCS began implementing recommendations outlined in the report. Air scrubbers were used throughout the building; potential water leaks were investigated and handled; and areas in and around air vents were cleaned. In addition, each classroom received an air purifier with HEPA filtration capable of removing 99.9% of harmful particles. The air purifiers are still in place.
The rooms and areas that returned high counts of mold are scheduled to be retested next Monday, September 23, and this includes those spaces with identified stachybotrys. The IWCS Operations Department continues to check for leaks and clean air vents/surfaces with mold-inhibiting products. Water-damaged ceiling tiles are replaced, and attention is being given to any spaces with relative humidity above 60%; dehumidifiers will be added in order to decrease the moisture level in the air for those spaces. Every home or business has "normal" levels of mold, so comparing indoor levels to a control sample collected from outside of the building determines what is acceptable.
Carrollton Elementary School has experienced issues with their HVAC system for many years. While patches have been made to the system over time, the complete replacement of the system at Carrollton has been made a priority by the Isle of Wight County School Board and county’s Board of Supervisors. I truly appreciate the commitment of the School Board and Board of Supervisors to resolving these ongoing issues by investing in a new building-wide HVAC system. The project, which is estimated to cost over $7 million, will rectify heating, cooling, moisture, and air circulation issues at Carrollton Elementary.
Until the system is replaced, I anticipate HVAC issues will continue, therefore, I plan to remain vigilant and responsive to reported air quality concerns and I will continue to notify those in the Operations Department who have also made this a priority. We will continue to monitor the situation and implement measures to ensure a safe, healthy school environment for all of the students and staff here at CAES.
Moving forward, if you have a question or concern about our HVAC system or air quality, feel free to reach out to me and I will be glad to find the answer for you.
Thank you for taking the time to read this,
Mr. Brennan