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First day of school marred by mold concerns

By Rachel Stockman
By Rachel Stockman
Some parents of Pleasant Grove Elementary School children spent the first day of school worried about their kids being exposed to mold.
"Coupled with the unforeseen heavy rain and hot temperatures, staff members were alerted not long ago to a few isolated cases of mold inside the building," said John Hardin, a communication specialist for Henry County Schools. "The cleaning crews addressed them immediately and are continuously checking to ensure the problem does not reoccur."
Parent Rebecca Neal said she is worried about her three children, who all suffer from asthma and mold allergies.
"When you go into a school for an open house, you don't expect to walk and the first thing that hits you is the intense smell of mold," she said.
Neal's 10-year-old daughter Samantha spoke with Channel 2 Action News when she got off the bus."
"My chest felt like it was closing in a lot and I couldn't breathe," said Samantha Neal.
Neal said she is not satisfied with the district's response to the issues.
"No, I want a team to go in there, a professional team that deals with nothing but mold," she said.

A spokesperson for the district said a professional team was not necessary because county maintenance crews resolved the issue.
"You are talking about children's lives, not just the children and think about all the teachers that work there," said Neal.

WSBTV

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