Mold Forces Students to Spread Out

Colorado Springs, CO – Students attending The Classical Academy’s original campus could have a new building when they head back to school in August.

Several of the modulars that make up the charter school’s East campus, 8650 Scarborough Drive, have mold, forcing students to move to other schools in Academy School District 20 through the end of the school year.

Monday, the board of directors told administrators to look into a permanent building at the East campus and to seek bids. The district also will look at how feasible a capital campaign would be to raise money for a building.

Last week, teachers, students and parents packed up classrooms at the East campus and moved to other school buildings. When students return after winter break, second-graders will be at one of TCA’s other campuses and third- through sixth-graders will go to class at Discovery Canyon. Kindergarten and firstgrade students had already moved to Chinook Trails Elementary School, while Cottage School Program students moved to Ranch Creek Elementary School.

Some modulars at the East campus were OK to use, administrators said, but they felt it would be better for students to settle into new classrooms while the board discussed a new building or fixing the modular buildings that have mold.

Mark Hyatt, TCA president, said the charter school board will meet Jan. 4 to hear an update on soil tests, construction bids and the feasibility of a capital campaign. Monday, Hyatt told board members he collected $20,000 in pledges last week and had been handed checks without even asking.

The building will likely be “a low-cost building,” Hyatt said, meaning a pre-designed, steel building with concrete floors. Cost estimates at Monday’s meeting were around $4 million. Some of that could come from private bonds, budget reserves, grants and the capital campaign, administrators said.

Author: Carolyn Willbanks