4 plans considered to fix Cedarbrook Middle School mold problem

CHELTENHAM, Pa. - October 15, 2013 (WPVI) -- Students and staff returned to Cedarbrook Middle school in Wyncote Tuesday morning, hours after school officials briefed parents on plans to solve a mold problem in the building.

Cheltenham School District officials presented four plans being considered to address the ongoing problem.

A bad roof has forced them to close 12 classrooms and the cafeteria.

Tensions spilled over at a school district meeting in Montgomery County Monday night as parents demanded answers from administrators.

After trying to deal with the problems piecemeal for 13 years, officials are now proposing four concepts.

The first would be to replace the roof while the students are still in class.

The second would be to bring in modular classrooms while the school building is torn down and a new one built.

The third would have the 700 students share the high school building and splitting the schedule which would have middle school students getting home at 8:30 p.m.

The fourth plan would be to bus the students to another sight for 2 to 3 years while a new school is built.

Parent Denise Thompson says her child, a 6th grader, has been getting sick with asthma.

"He pretty much has allergies and he had a headache today, so I'm just trying to find the best, the fastest way, we can get this done and, pretty much, get my kid out of the school," Thompson said.

School officials say they have hired experts who are testing the air quality at the school on a weekly basis among other things.

"We will continue with that pattern of safety and precautionary measures until we see this thing through to the end," district spokeswoman Susan O'Grady said.

The district is now planning an open forum for parents with the school board of directors on October 22nd.

A decision on what to do is expected shortly thereafter.

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pennsylvania news, school, montgomery county news, local/state, dann cuellar

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