Hickory HS addresses mold problem

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) -  

Hickory High School is finally letting parents know there is a mold problem in the school. Crews are spending nights cleaning and scrubbing, and hopefully the mold will be gone by Friday night.

This letter follows a 10 On Your Side investigation attempting to get information about the mold problems in Chesapeake Public Schools.

All you have to do is stand out in front of Hickory High School to find out about mold in the school. Student Tyler Phillips was asked if he smells anything inside the school.

"Yes, it was so bad we had to move to another class it smelled so bad," Phillips told WAVY.com.

Several emails and calls to WAVY.com criticized Chesapeake Schools Administration for failing to be up front about the problem. Student Zack Mizell says, "They haven't told us about it. We know about it because teachers are complaining about it."

After continued efforts WAVY.com finally got someone to say what was going on. We asked schools spokesperson Tom Cupitt whether anyone is in danger.

"We don't believe they are," Cupitt said. Don't believe they are? Cupitt answered, "Again, we believe again we are cleaning to the normal protocol, and that this will be taken care of."

Cupitt says the mold took over four classrooms after the HVAC system was removed which created huge amounts of humidity. When teachers showed up in August mold was visible.

Following 10 On Your Side's continued efforts to get information about mold in schools, the Principal sent a letter home.

Document: Letter from school about mold

The letter does not mention what sources have said: that mold was found in light fixtures, that some teachers and students became sick and that the problem existed before school year began.

"The teacher said the first couple of days mold was over the desk," Phillips said. "She had to clean it up with her own money. The school didn't clean it up, and made her do it."

Chesapeake custodians are cleaning up the mold at night. Eric McKee of McKee Environmental who did not want to answer questions on camera met with some teachers and will inspect the mold removal to make sure it was done properly.