Workers killed mold in four Washington High School classrooms this week, and Atlanta Superintendent Erroll Davis said Friday the school is safe.
The classrooms in the school’s fine arts building had been closed this week while the area was cleaned and the air quality tested. No students reported respiratory problems, Davis said.
“Neither I nor anyone in this administration would knowingly allow any children or staff members to occupy an unsafe facility,” Davis said as he stood in the school’s entrance. “I hope this does give parents some comfort that we are responding to their issues.”
Booker T. Washington High, built in 1924, was vulnerable to mold following heavy summer rains and water seepage through the walls. Located west of downtown, Washington High was the first public high school for black students in Georgia.
Dozens of parents voiced their concerns about the mold to the Atlanta Board of Education at Monday’s meeting, with some saying the school district should have worked harder to address their concerns rather than spend $147 million on the new North Atlanta High School.
Davis responded that mold is unavoidable, and he said that spending more money wouldn’t solve the problem any faster.
He estimated between 10 and 15 Atlanta schools had to be cleaned of mold this summer, but it took longer to correct the problem at Washington High. Davis said rain also caused mold not just in Atlanta, but in schools across the state.
“There’s more to do, but the spirit of cooperation we’ve seen is a great sign,” said West End resident Kay Wallace.
A backhoe began digging this week outside the fine arts building to get at the water leak. Work will continue to create a system to drain water and prevent seepage.
“We want to make sure we never have this issue again,” said Board of Education member Courtney English. “All of Washington is open for business.”
About the Author
