Air tests at Forest Park delayed until today

01:00 AM EST on Wednesday, November 19, 2003

BY MEGAN MATTEUCCI
Journal Staff Writer


NORTH KINGSTOWN -- Forest Park Elementary School students will return to class today after two days off, but there is still a possibility that they will be sent home.

Supt. James M. Halley canceled school Monday and Tuesday, while construction workers finished applying glue as part of a roof replacement.

James Larisa of the Division of Occupational Safety of the state Department of Labor toured Forest Park last night, but was unable to test the air because school windows were open when he arrived.

Larisa was expected to take air samples today at 7 a.m. to make sure no chemicals were still present in the school.

He said parents should send their children to school as usual. School officials will activate the emergency evacuation procedures if necessary, Larisa said.

Halley's decision to close the school during the work follows the evacuation of students at Davisville Elementary School last month and Stony Lane Elementary School earlier this month.

Students were evacuated from Stony Lane twice after the roof glue seeped into classrooms and fumes caused itchy eyes, irritated throats and stomach aches.

Forest Park students already had the day off Monday for staff professional development, but they were scheduled to return yesterday. Teachers' workshops were held in other buildings.

On Monday afternoon, Halley decided to cancel yesterday's school session.

"We decided to close because the weather was going to be nice and we wanted to get the work done before the rain comes," Halley said. "We didn't want any more problems, so we closed."

The Forest Park students will make up the lost day at the end of the school year. Davisville Elementary students have three days to make up at the end of the year, according to Halley.

Workers completed the Forest Park roof work yesterday. Only finishing touches, which will take less than a day, are left at Forest Park and Stony Lane, according to Halley.

"I'm glad we have the roofs finished and won't have to put up with leaks and potential roofs shattering," Halley said.

The roof glue contains two toxic chemicals, toluene and xylene. Dr. Robert J. Marshall of the state Department of Health said the chemicals are common solvents used in paint and glue, and produce strong odors. The odors can cause headaches, dizziness and irritation.

"We recommend people minimize exposure. These odors can make people sick," Marshall said.

The roof construction projects and school evacuations have outraged many parents and teachers, who claim Halley put children and faculty in danger.

Parents are now circulating a petition for Halley's removal because of alleged mismanagement and negligence regarding the roof project. The National Education Association/North Kingstown Teachers Association is also considering a no-confidence vote in Halley.