School Forced to Close After Mold Is Discovered Reports IrwinRealtors.com

San Francisco, CA -- (SBWIRE) -- 10/03/2012 -- William Prescott Elementary was forced to temporarily close after the Scranton School District failed to remove moldy ceiling tiles when they were noted six months prior.

Parents confronted district officials on the fact that files on the finding were misfiled, thus causing the mold to go without maintenance and removal.

In a heated exchange, 40 parents were crowded into the school’s library to let officials know just how they felt regarding the issue. Officials of the school board would hold a special meeting on Monday to vote on temporarily closing Prescott. It is unknown exactly how widespread the mold is at this point.

Students may find a temporary new home at St. Mary’s School on River Street. The Nativity School on Hemlock Street is also an option for students.

Parents who attended the meeting left visibly frustrated. Many are concerned Prescott could fall prey to the same circumstances that saw Audubon Elementary close permanently earlier this year. Mold was the cause of that shut down as well. If Prescott were to close, it would leave no elementary schools in the Hill Section.

Michael McGrath, a local attorney, asked district officials whether the district if they would be in the same situation if the problem had been dealt with in March, when the mod was first noted. He received a simple ‘no’ response.

"The handling of this is incomprehensible," Mr. McGrath said. "It's frustrating. I'm angered by it."

Michelle Dempsey, treasurer of Prescott’s PTA, stated that this situation is akin to Audubon, which is cause for some alarm.

"Tensions were high" during the meeting, with parents concerned about the six-month delay in the district taking action and the possible health effects caused by mold, Ms. Dempsey said.

Mr. McGrath and Board President Bob Lesh found themselves in a bit of a tussle of words, stated Ms. Dempsey. She noted the men were acting in a "condescending and confrontational" manner. Ms. Dempsey said he was "standoffish" and "in attack mode."

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