Little Compton's Wilbur & McMahon Schools Screened For Mold

With Little Compton classes slated to return to the old building on Sept. 4, school officials are doing their part to ensure the health and safety of teachers and students.

On Wednesday an environmental services firm, Rhode Island Analytical, toured the school at 20 Commons to survey the severity of the mold in the 83-year-old school building, said Supt. Kathryn Crowley.

"The old building was closed up all summer and we were ready to move to the classroom pods," said Crowley. "Now we have started cursory cleaning in all of the classrooms."

Two weeks ago the Town Council voted to move the temporary classroom pods from Veteran's Field to Peckham field - a decision that will allow the district to drain the water-logged athletic field but will delay preparations of the temporary classroom units.

To prevent a delay in the start of the school year, the School Committee and council elected to reopen the Wilbur & McMahon classrooms until the pods are ready for students.

To prepare the shuttered classrooms, Crowley said her department has worked over the last two weeks bleaching-down classrooms, pulling up mildewed carpets and opening the building to airflow to dry it out.

Carpeting was sent out to professional cleaners and each classroom was outfitted with a dehumidifier, she said.

"We are doing all the right things, I have just checked myself," said Crowley - citing conversations with experts at the state Department of Health and at Rhode Island Analytical. "I am airing on the side caution."

The Rhode Island Analytical report is expected by the end of the week, according to Crowley. 

School Committee Chairman Don Gomez was unable to give a time frame for how long students would remain in the Wilbur & McMahon building at the council's Aug. 9 meeting.

cannot begin until students are moved to temporary classrooms. The project will replace the building's 20-year-old roof and provide for improvements in infrastructure and classroom spaces.

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