The school already had a mold and mildew problem, which got worse for children and teachers, who complain of headaches and allergies. The Texas Department of Health was called in to investigate when parents complained that their children felt sick after breathing moldy, foul, smelling air inside the school. Doctors say it causes everything from sore throats to a supression of the immune system. I don't have exact figures. The state health department has not recommended closing the school.
Tests show that the poisonous fungus is confined to the space above the ceiling tiles.
Fans have been installed to suck contaminated air out of the attic before it reaches the children. But workers still stomp around on the new roof, and use tools which make vibrations. And several weeks ago, some ceiling tiles fell on top of a teacher's desk. Anybody who builds a new roof on their house knows it's a very messy, messy process. The Birdville Independent School District insists the safety of the children and staff is the top priority.