Baldwin Co. faces $30K mold problem

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. - During a tight budget crunch, Baldwin County School Officials say they had to pick up the tab for a $30,000 mold problem, found at Foley Middle School.

The mold was found right before school started and has since been corrected, according to board spokesman Terry Wilhite.

A construction worker spotted the mold and alerted school board leaders.

Foley Middle School is a brand new school in the district. Leaders are asking that the construction company reimburse the district in costs. However, it is unclear whether that will happen or not.

Board leaders say the Alabama Department of Health cleared the way for students to report to class, and there is no current threat. But Wilhite said the likelihood of the mold returning can not be predicted, because of geography.

"Here on the Gulf Coast, mold is always a problem; no matter if the structure is old or new," said Wilhite. "However, we have to make sure we stay on top of it and that is what happened at Foley Middle School despite the high costs for remediation."