BAMBERG -- Relentless summer rains have resulted in a significant mold and mildew problem at Richard Carroll Elementary School, Campus A, according to Bamberg School District 1 Superintendent Phyllis Schwarting.

The kindergarten annex and several portable classrooms, including the classroom for the profoundly mentally disabled, have suffered the most extensive damage.

Schwarting said standing water around outside walls and under mobile units, as well as blowing rains seeping in under loose roofing and through cement block walls, have caused extensive damage. Water and mold damaged carpeting, flooring and ceiling tiles are being removed and repairs are ongoing to remedy the problem, she said. Cleaning agents will be used to disinfect the areas before teachers and students occupy the classrooms, the superintendent said.

"We have no money to cover this unexpected situation but we will spend what we have to and answer later for the extra money we've had to spend," Schwarting said.

She estimates it will take between $2-$3 million to fix the damaged roofs, seal the buildings from the outside and correct the water vapor issue.

The mold and mildew invasion was noticed by teachers returning to their classrooms at the end of July. Moist carpets, walls, baseboards and ceilings had become fertile breeding grounds full of musty odors. Despite the annual summer routine of cleaning the classrooms in June, excessive rains had caused major, unforeseen problems.

"To my knowledge, there are no major mold or mildew problems in any of the other schools in District 1 Schwarting said. "What we have done in an effort to make things as safe for all of the children as we want it to be is delayed the start of four- and five-year-old kindergarten and delayed the start of the program for the PMD students."

As soon as the problem was discovered, contractors were called in to identify the cause and extent of the damage and begin clean-up and repairs, she said. Initial attempts to relay new flooring were thwarted by reoccurring water seepage, Schwarting said. She said a vapor barrier covered by two additional inches of concrete had to be used to solve the seepage in two of the kindergarten rooms.

"We're hoping to have kindergarten begin on Tuesday, Aug. 12," Schwarting said.

Richard Carroll Elementary School, Campus A's revised schedule calls for 4-K and 5-K boys only to come to class Tuesday and 4-K and 5-K girls to come on Wednesday. Both boys and girls will have school Thursday.

PMD students will tentatively return to class Wednesday, Aug. 13, RCES Principal Skipper Smith said.

Schwarting said it will cost the district an estimated $10,000 to repair the PMD portable classroom. The needed repairs include a new roof, new carpeting and wall repair. How to drain the water from under the building has to be solved also.

Schwarting feels that the city of Bamberg and the Bamberg Board of Public Works, which have always been helpful to the schools, will provide assistance if they are able.

"There are five students in that (profoundly mentally disabled) classroom," Schwarting said, "and they (the city of Bamberg and the Board of Public Works) have been most cooperative. They want the same thing we want -- the safest environment."

Schwarting said she's sure that kindergarten parents will be equally cooperative.

"I don't feel like there's anything we could have done to avoid this," the superintendent said. "I think the only thing we can do at this point is to try to go in and do everything we can to provide a healthy and safe environment for all of the children."

Other problems "of less of a crisis nature," Schwarting said, have occurred in the gym, where the roof has been damaged by wind and water has rotted out wooden roofing boards, flooring and steps.

Walls in the gym have peeling paint where water has flowed in. A restroom in the gym has had to be repaired because of the water damage also.

Schwarting said Smith and RCES, Campus A Administrative Assistant Curtis Williams have stayed on top of dealing with the totally unexpected problem.

She said she expects some concerns to be voiced about the safety of the classrooms affected by the mold and mildew.

"All I can say to any parents that voices those concerns is that I have grandchildren in these schools and that I want just as good for your children as I want for mine," Schwarting said. "We are doing everything to insure their health and safety."

Most of the school buildings in Bamberg School District 1 were built in the 1950s and 1960s and are flat-topped structures. Plans are in place to monitor the buildings continuously for further moisture-related problems.

Schwarting said insurance will cover only a portion of the repairs to RCES, Campus A. Damage not related to wind is not covered, she said.

"Damage that resulted from water seeping in through the walls and floors is considered an act of God, I think, and is not insurable," Schwarting said.

She said the money that will have to be spent to remove damaged materials, make repairs and insure a healthy environment for students and teachers is far beyond costs budgeted for the year.

"To my knowledge, there are no emergency funds available through the state or emergency grants to cover repairs to existing buildings," Schwarting said, adding that this is a crisis situation.

"If anyone chose to donate to the (district's) Education Foundation for something such as this, it would be accepted very graciously," Schwarting said. "It is a tax deduction and can be designated to be applied toward (repairs)."

Donations to help pay for the repairs can be sent to the Bamberg School District 1 office at P. O. Box 526, Bamberg, SC 29003 or brought by the office on Faust Street. Schwarting, Assistant Superintendent Rick Starr or Jennette Stokes at the district office are available to answer questions about donations to the foundation.

Schwarting said water damage is a situation that the everyone in the school district must face together. She also cautioned that if the wet weather continues, more damage may occur. But, the possibility of finishing the school year in the red and taking the blame for it is better than jeopardizing the health and safety of any teacher or student, Schwarting said.

"I don't know if we've just seen the tip of the iceberg or we've seen it as bad as it's going to get," she said. "My hope is that we've seen the worst. My fear is that we haven't."

T&D Correspondent Minnie Miller can be reached by writing to her at 138 Nature's Trail, Bamberg, SC 29003.

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