Gilmer school board approves two-room modular building for
Normantown Elementary (L-R) Alton Skinner II, Phyllis Starkey,
Superintendent Ed Toman, vice-president Larry Butcher and Kelly
Radcliff, not pictured but voting by phone, president Dorothy Rhodes
By Bob Weaver
Facing a crunch with school opening later this month, the Gilmer County Board of Education voted 5-0 last night to place a two-room modular building on the Normantown Elementary School campus.
Mold under the main floor in Normantown school:
Williamson-Shriver wrote in November, 2006 that
the crawl space was un-vented, causing more growth
Unresolved mold problems have plagued the school since last fall, causing the use of the school to be in question as school opens.
Misty Pritt, Normantown community spokesperson and Challenge WV fellow, said "The board's decision allows our students to start school another year at Normantown," with some students using space in other areas of the school not affected by the mold
The board amended an earlier letter prepared by Gilmer Superintendent Ed Toman to State Superintendent Dr. Steve Paine, requesting an amendment to the Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan (CEFP).
Last night's letter is requesting permission to move fourth, fifth and sixth grade students into portable classrooms to be placed on the school property.
Toman's letter had requested that fourth, fifth and sixth grade students be transported to Glenville, if modular units would not be approved.
 Normantown school organizer and Challenge WV fellow Misty Pritt (left) speaks with residents about board vote
Pritt said the issue of taking care of the mold problem has been dragging since last fall.
"Architects Williamson-Shriver made recommendations in November, 2006 about resolutions, but now we've been in a crisis as school is about to start," she said.
Superintendent Toman told community members last week he has been working on a solution, including placing the Normantown mold issue in a $526,000 multi-faceted funding request for the school.
That request was not approved by the School Building Authority.
Board member Phyllis Starkey said "The mold problem was deep in the proposal."
Toman says he has been looking into other solutions and how much they would cost.
Starkey said the mold problem was being used as an issue to close the Normantown school and consolidate with Glenville.
Following two other 5-0 votes that supported keeping Normantown students in tact, Pritt said the superintendent seemed to be moving in a different direction.
"It sounded like a good move to me," she said, following the meeting.
READ earlier Herald stories on Normantown School
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