Town Gets Cash Settlement for School Mold

Fairfield, CN –A school mold problem that got out of hand in Fairfield is resulting in some cash for the town. The town will get $1.2 million in an agreement with its insurance company over water leaks at McKinley Elementary School, which led to its shutdown and demolition because of mold contamination.

Storm water that came through McKinley’s roof while it was under repair in the summer of 2000 is believed to have contributed to mold growth, which sickened students and staff. Some of them with lifelong illness that have handicapped them indefinitely.  Many of these molds cause permanent neurological, pathalogical, immunological, and psychological damage that is comparable to the same T-2 toxins in biological warfare.

Town Attorney Richard Saxl said Friday the town is suing the roofing contractor, Commercial Roofing and Contracting Inc. of Putnam, and Jacunski Humes Architects LLC of Newington. “Any proceeds we keep will be in addition to the $1.2 million,” Saxl said.

The Board of Education closed McKinley in October 2000. The school was demolished this summer, and new McKinley is scheduled to open next August on the same campus. The overall cost to build the new McKinley will be $23.15 million.

Author: Contributor