Home News 

Story

School Infested With Mold

Posted: 6:17 am MDT August 5, 2008Updated: 10:16 am MDT August 5, 2008

From the outside it's hard to tell something's wrong at Pebble Hills Elementary School. Officials with the Ysleta Independent School District recently learned of mold infestation at the eastside campus. A large white sign has been placed on the front doors of the school: School Closed Until Further Notice.

An independent environmental consultant found mold in the school and told the district the building is not safe to use. District officials said the old roof was scheduled to be replaced, and the recent rain and humidity caused the growth of mold.

"They should've kept up with it. Those are things they need to be looking at and keeping up. It's a public school. Many people rely on leaving their kids there safely," said Lorena Mena, of east El Paso.

While the district gets started on the cleanup process, it anticipates placing the hundreds of students who attend Pebble Hills Elementary in other schools for a period of 60-90 days.

The first day of class is Aug. 25. Students in kindergarten and in the Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities (PPCD) will be reporting to Glen Cove Elementary School at 10955 Sam Snead Drive. The administration is still not sure where it will house students in first through fifth grade, but one option is the Ysleta Pre-K Center at 7909 Ranchland Drive, where 37 portables could be ready for students the first day of class.

KFOX Poll

Do you feel the previous tuition and fee increases at UTEP have helped enhance students' education?

Bored Room

In Bored Room: Are you looking to save a few bucks this spring? Instead of heading to the shopping mall, consider searching for items at yard sales, garage sales and flea markets instead. Full Story ››
Plus: Where Are 'Rhoda' Stars Today?