The discovery of mould spores has officials at Bayside Middle School closing its library and art room, the latest development in an ongoing saga involving the school’s leaky roof.
A letter sent out to staff and parents at the Brentwood Bay school said that indoor testing in the school showed that indoor mould concentration didn’t exceed the amount found in outdoor testing, but the species of mould varied.
The environmental group that conducted the testing also found green mould growing behind vinyl wallpaper, which trapped moisture in parts of the school’s library and art room.
The wallpaper “prevented drying and allowed the release of airborne spores,” said Saanich School District facilities director Kim Milburn in the letter. Both areas are under 10 square feet in area.
“Some persons with immunocompromising illness or other medical conditions might experience adverse effect, so out of an abundance of caution we will proactively close the Art and Library on Thursday and Friday to remediate those two areas,” the letter said.
The rooms will be reopened on Monday.
A CTV News investigation broke the story of the leaky roof last week, when staff and students complained that they had been dodging buckets full of water around the school each time it rained.
One mother came forward to say her son slipped in a puddle caused by the leaky roof in drama class, suffering a minor concussion.
The roof has reportedly been leaking since it was installed in 1992.
The school district is now asking the province to pay for a new roof, and the issue has been taken up with Minister of Education Mike Bernier, who admits it needs to be addressed.
Replacing the roof will cost an estimated $2.6-million.
