No new mold found at school

MANALAPAN — Representatives of a federal agency found no evidence of new mold in the Milford Brook School during a visit to the building on Friday.

The Manalapan-Englishtown Education Association (MEEA) joined with environmental specialists to confirm that mold found in the school in late August and cleaned over the first weekend in September had been completely removed.

"The association called in the Occupa-tional Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) just to make sure it had a backup in terms of the situation," said Marguerite Schroeder, MEEA vice president.

Schroeder said OSHA representatives visited the school on Friday.

"They walked around the building with building representatives, including the principal, and at this time they did not find anything significant in terms of anything new."

The teachers union vice president said there are four classrooms and a meeting room that are closed off.

"OSHA’s recommendations were basically the same" as previous plans, she said. "The carpeting (with the mold) should be removed immediately."

Schroeder said district administrators have gone to great lengths to make sure everything has been checked and tested.

"They’ve really worked hard to do this. We’re certainly not expecting that they’re trying to sweep anything under the rug," she said. "I know they used chemical cleaners and mold agents. The air quality has been tested by LAN Associates, but we still have not received the report on that which was promised to us last week. The teachers are waiting for that."

According to Schroeder, some staff members "are still experiencing residual effects from the chemicals that were used. They are seeking medical attention under workers’ compensation."

Schroeder said district administrators have been most supportive in making sure everything that could be done was done to address the situation.

— Dave Benjamin