Mold Outbreak Closes School

Friday, December 21st 2007, 11:35 am

By: News On 6

HUGO, Okla. (AP) -- A mold outbreak at Hugo Elementary School could cost $500,000 to clean up and will force students to take classes elsewhere until mid-February. School Superintendent Tony Daugherty says the 434 students were removed from the school December 12. They will attend classes at two churches.

Mold was found behind the vinyl wallpaper at the school which was built 17 years ago. Crews will remove all the carpet, wallpaper and other absorbent material in an effort to get rid of the mold. Textbooks and other materials must be cleaned. The district will seek grants or other emergency funds to help pay for the repair costs.

Daugherty says for several years there were a lot of teachers who called in sick as well as a high number of student absences. Some mold can cause illness or be dangerous to people with asthma or bronchitis.