REACTION ONLY ON 4: Little Rock School District Moves Students From Unhealthy School

For months, students at Mitchell Academy have been complaining about headaches, nosebleeds, and rashes. THE DISTRICT SAYS IT`S A SICK BUILDING THAT`S CAUSING THE PROBLEMS, FILLED WITH MOLD BECAUSE OF POOR VENTILATION. THURSDAY NIGHT, ADMINISTRATORS TOLD PARENTS ABOUT PLANS TO MOVE THE STUDENTS FROM A LOCATION ON BATTERY STREET TO CLASSROOMS IN THREE OTHER BUILDINGS. NEWS FOUR ARKANSAS` MIKE HELLGREN REPORTED ON THESE NEW DEVELOPMENTS FOR OUR 10PM NEWSCAST THURSDAY NIGHT. MITCHELL ACADEMY`S A PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT HOUSES PRE-K THROUGH FIFTH GRADES. ALL CLASSES WILL MOVE. THAT TAKES PLACE SEPTEMBER 22nd. THE STUDENTS WILL HAVE NEW BUS ROUTES. IN A LETTER TO PARENTS, THE PRINCIPAL SAYS HE`LL SEND THEM NOTICES TELLING THEM WHICH ROUTES THEIR KIDS WILL TAKE. THEY`LL HAVE THE SAME TEACHERS AND THE SAME PRINCIPAL, BUT SOME PARENTS STILL HAVE QUESTIONS. THEY WONDER, `IF THE SCHOOL IS SO UNHEALTHY, WHY IS ANYONE IN THE BUILDING AT ALL NOW, AND WHY DIDN`T THE MOVE SOME SOONER?` IKEISHA LAMB IS ONE OF THEM. Ikeisha Lamb PARENT "If these kids are having the problems like they`re saying, it needs to be done effectively--like right now." Morris Holmes LRSD SUPERINTENDENT "The question is, `Why aren`t we moving tomorrow?` They need some time to relocate...just a lot of logistics." THE DISTRICT ADMITS VENTILATION`S BAD--THAT THE AIR RIGHT HERE IN THE ROOM THEY MET IN THURSDAY NIGHT--IN THE CLASSROOMS, TOO--COULD BE HURTING THESE KIDS. HOLMES SAYS, "The doctors say it`s not good. Many parents say it`s not good, and nobody with any consciousness would leave the people in this building, and they will be relocated." P-T-A VICE PRESIDENT KAMESHA ROBINSON SAYS SHE HAS FAITH THE DISTRICT IS DOING WHAT IT CAN TO KEEP KIDS SAFE. Kamesha Robinson PARENT "I don`t believe they would have these children here if their lives were in jeopardy. There are places we go to everyday where the air quality isn`t up to par." SOON, THIS ONE SCHOOL WILL MOVE TO THREE PLACES. IT`LL TAKE MORE THAN TWO YEARS TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. THE BUILDING WON`T BE BACK IN OPERATION UNTIL JANUARY 2005. AND WHILE SOME PARENTS DON`T LIKE THEIR KIDS BEING SPLIT UP, THEY`RE RELIEVED THAT EACH BREATH THEY TAKE WILL BE A SAFER ONE. Ikeisha Lamb PARENT "It kind of frustrates you, so you`re like, `Come on. Start doing something about it and quit putting it off." FOR MOST OF THESE PARENTS, THAT COULDN`T HAPPEN SOON ENOUGH. HERE`S WHERE MITCHELL ACADEMY`S KIDS WILL GO: PRE-K THROUGH FIRST GRADERS WILL MOVE TO AN OUTBUILDING ON THE CURRENT MITCHELL CAMPUS. SECOND AND THIRD GRADE CLASSES WILL MOVE TO STEPHENS ELEMENTARY. AND FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADERS WILL MOVE TO WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY. TEACHERS WILL MOVE THEIR THINGS IN TWO WEEKS. MOLD IS AN UNWANTED GUEST IN MANY ARKANSAS HOMES, TOO, BECAUSE OF OUR SHORT, MILD WINTERS AND LONG, HUMID SUMMERS. THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT OFFERS THESE TIPS TO GET RID OF IT. KEEP HUMIDITY LEVELS BELOW 50 PERCENT INDOORS. PLACE EXHAUST FANS IN KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS. USE PRODUCTS THAT STOP MOLD IN PAINT. AND DO NOT CARPET BATHROOMS.