Experts prepare for removal of mold-infested buildings

Experts are working to clean all objects to be taken from mold-infested buildings set to be removed from the Bordewich-Bray campus June 24.

Mike Mitchell, director of operations for the Carson City School District, said about $250,000 of equipment can be salvaged from the five portable buildings.

"It's an unexpected windfall," he said. "We're pretty excited at that."

Mitchell plans to present the school board with the time line for the mold abatement process at Tuesday's meeting. However, he said there is little precedent in mold remediation and much of the process is determined as it moves along.

"I kind of feel like we're on the cutting edge and it's frustrating," he said. "I really think we're doing the right thing by removing the modulars but we're being so careful and cautious it's taking a lot of time and money and energy. We want to be safe but nobody knows what that is. The whole mold issue is ill-defined."

The portable buildings were discovered to be infested with three types of toxic mold in November. Programs and classes have been moved from the buildings.

Board members are seeking a $3.75 million bond in this year's election to replace the modulars with a permanent addition to the main building.

In the meantime, the library and music and English-as-a-second-language classes will be temporarily housed in the Performance Hall of the Brewery Arts Center.

The equipment taken from the moldy modulars such as locks and exit signs will be used to replace old or broken fixtures at both Bordewich-Bray and Fritsch elementary schools.

If you go:

What: Carson City School Board meeting

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Carson City Community Center, Sierra Room