SAN JUAN ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT

Spruced up FHES ready for Sept. 3 opening

Third-grader Elizabeth Taylor and fourth-grader Roy Taylor, Jr. untied the ribbon at FHES's rededication ceremony.

posted 08/31/02
Friday Harbor Elementary School students Elizabeth and Roy Taylor, Jr. did the honors and untied the ribbon at the rededication ceremony for Friday Harbor Elementary School. Many of the 385 students enrolled showed up for the Friday afternoon ceremony and open house. Parents and students inspected the spruced up school which sports new paint, new carpet and a new roof.

The Taylor children received the elementary school's "Soar" award from Principal Carolyn Haugen for helping at the school. Their father, Roy Taylor, is a member of the district's maintenance staff. Taylor, Building Manager Bob Carroll and Facilities Manager Scott Bell also received "Soar" awards. Haugen thanked them all for the work they had done to spruce up the school and get it ready for the Sept. 3 opening.

When the old carpet was pulled up this summer, mold was discovered in several areas. The cleanup was completed at a cost of $85,000. Insurance is expected to cover $30,000 of the cost. The roof cost the district $109,961, the exterior painting cost $32,070 and the carpet cost $110,000.

$50 to 100K estimate for mold removal

posted 07/04/02
Abatement crews began working at Friday Harbor Elementary School Wednesday (July 3, 2002) to remove mold. The removal will cost between $50,000 and $100,000 according to San Juan Island School District Maintenance Supervisor Scott Bell. The mold was discovered during preparation work to replace the carpet.

The mold was caused by water intrusion. On the west side of the building, water came in below the sub-surface level. Bell said the construction drawings indicate no drainage system was installed in the area by the berm. A footing drain will be installed now.

The mold on the east side of the building was caused by water that came in because of a faulty design in the windows. The district is working with a local glass company which has recommended a solution.

The mold did not spread beyond the two areas. It was contained behind the vinyl wallcovering. If spores had managed to get outside the vinyl, they still wouldn't have spread throughout the school for two reasons. One, the school does not have a central heating system. And hepa vacs which catch the spores are used for vacuuming classrooms.

The school will be ready in plenty of time for its Sept. 3 opening according to Bell. The carpet will be installed beginning July 22.

Mold discovered in Friday Harbor Elementary School

posted 06/21/02
Camp Eagle Rock was relocated to Friday Harbor Middle School Commons after mold was found in a classroom at Friday Harbor Elementary School June 19, 2002. The day camp run by Island Rec begins Monday, June 24.

Carpeting is being replaced at the elementary school. When a bookcase was moved from an exterior wall, a section of vinyl wall covering was pulled off the wall. The mold was discovered on the back of the vinyl and on the wall board.

Superintendent of Schools Steve Enoch said, "We are hopeful that this is an isolated issue as it appears there were plants and flowers on a ledge above this area and perhaps in the process of watering, moisture got into the wall. We did however; find two other small areas that look suspicious, although no determination has been made."

"We are going to take this step by step. The first step is to relocate Camp Eagle Rock to Turnbull Gym and the middle school commons. This is strictly a precautionary move as the safety of children and staff is always our first concern. The next step is to secure the opinion of experts as to the extent of the problem and to initiate the removal process. We have already contacted a respected firm that specializes in assessment and removal of mold and they will be here tomorrow. We will know more about the removal process in the very near future."

"We had an assessment done on March 12 of this year. Random samples were taken throughout the school with no evidence of spores from mold or allergens being present. This adds to our optimism that the area impacted is small in scope and that it has been sealed behind the vinyl wall covering which would limit exposure. We will wait however, to see what the experts say."