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Iredell Co. charter school searches for solutions to air quality, mold issue

By Brittney Johnson, wsoctv.com
By Brittney Johnson, wsoctv.com

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — An Iredell County charter school is battling a moisture problem in hopes of preventing mold from growing in classrooms and is struggling to find a permanent fix.

American Renaissance Elementary School is housed in a 100-year-old building. Parents, including Al Satterfield, love the school but are concerned about the air quality inside.

[READ: Amerian Renaissance Elementary air quality progress report]

"It's a good school. Should I keep her here?" Satterfield said.

Channel 9 dug through reports showing the school has discovered and treated mold in classrooms and is still searching for the cause of the moisture.

"How great of a risk is it for my kid?" Satterfield asked.

Channel 9 took Satterfield's questions to the only pediatric allergist in town. Channel 9 asked Dr. Frank Lichtenberger if it’s safe for the children to be in school right now.

"I think so, 100 percent,” Lichtenberger said.

Lichtenberger said parents have contacted him with concerns about air quality at the school since 2014. He removed a teacher with respiratory issues from the school but said that was due to her unique case. He said after getting involved and seeing rounds of test results, he doesn't think there is an overall health risk.

Lichtenberger said to make the air quality better, he’s donating 21 air filters, which is a $5,000 donation.

Jim Duffey, the principal of the middle school, said each time they've found mold, it was never a harmful amount and they've treated it successfully.

"If it wasn't safe, we wouldn't open our doors for them to come in,” Duffey said.

School officials are working with the city and building owners to find the ongoing cause of the moisture.

"We want parents to know their kids are safe and cared for every time they walk through the door," Duffey said.

The school has made some changes, including waterproofing two walls and repairing parts of the sidewalk that are contributing to the moisture problem. Duffey estimated that the school, the city and the building owners have spent roughly $60,000 on testing and addressing moisture issues since October 2016.

The school said parents are welcome to ask questions and ask for environmental reports.

Some parents stopped Channel 9 reporter Brittney Johnson outside the school to say their children have mold allergies and have not had any issues at the school.

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