SCHOOL SHAME – Teachers claim construction put them and students at risk

A group of Fresh Meadows teachers are fearful that a construction project at their special education school has put their students and themselves in danger. Maintenance construction at P.S. 177, a school with more than 350 special needs students, began last January. Since then, P & K Contracting, Inc., hired by the School Construction Authority (SCA), has been removing and reapplying damaged brick and stone masonry.
The asbestos abatement work at the site was done by KZ & V Construction Inc., a specially-licensed company.
Some of the teachers, hoping to protect their special needs students, allege that proper protocol was not followed during asbestos removal and that brick and cinder block dust control during the masonry work has caused many staffers and some of the children to become ill.
Scores of educators claim they have developed upper respiratory irritations, asthma-like symptoms, eye and throat irritations, headaches, and even memory and/or voice loss and high blood pressure from working at the school during the construction. The teachers further alleged several children, some of whom are non-verbal, displayed new behavior symptoms, as well as the same eye and throat irritations, tiredness, and coughs as the staff members did.
The project included removing and reapplying damaged brick and stone masonry, providing and replacing lintels, pointing, repairing low voltage and security lighting, in addition to some asbestos removal.
Documents obtained by The Queens Courier show that asbestos abatement was performed at the school from November 2005 though February 2006 around the courtyard windows, and various locations in the basement and the first and second floors.
Teachers allege that they were unaware of that work and that no signs were posted to warn them. They found out that neighbors of the school were informed of the asbestos removal in a letter sent to their homes dated September 1, 2005.
In that letter from Debra Perry, Project Support Manager of Region 3, it was revealed that the SCA would be starting an extensive repair of the exterior masonry, parapets, and low voltage and security lighting at P.S. 177. Additionally, the letter warned that asbestos, if found, would be removed by a fully licensed asbestos abatement contractor.
The letter, sent to Principal Joe Trance; Susan Seinfeld, District Manager, Community Board 11, and SCA officers James Kusi, Alan Senzer and Neron Holder, also said air test results following the removal would be available at the school for all interested parties.
When Kevin Olson, an attorney with the New York Lawyers for the Public Interest group, visited the school this past June to view the asbestos documents, Principal Trance told Olsen to speak with his attorney, Thomas Fox of the Department of Education (DOE).
Teachers allege that the asbestos abatement didn't follow proper protocol, which says that teachers and students must receive a 10-day notice on any asbestos abatement work. Although the SCA said signs were posted, the teachers refute that claim saying, &#8220We had no notice. There was nothing posted.”
DOE spokesperson Margie Feinberg refutes the teacher's claims, however. She says a UFT protocol meeting was held on October 25, 2005 when SCA contractors informed the school's UFT representative, Shernice Blackman, and Trance of the project's time frame, execution, protocol and asbestos abatement work. Feinberg said there was proper notification regarding the asbestos removal, as required by law. She added that all the work done at the school has been filed with the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Buildings.
&#8220All federal, state and city regulations and SCA procedures were followed,” Feinberg said. Whether or not signs warning of asbestos abatement were posted, she said, &#8220that was up to the school. How much they told the teachers, you'd have to ask the UFT.”
One teacher went on to point out that in 1991, under then-principal Robin Sue Ward, the school had asbestos removed. At that time students and teachers were barred from the grounds for a week, and when they returned they found plastic coverings everywhere.
At the outset of the current project, odd odors were regularly detected according to the teachers and neighbors and a noticeable amount of dust and white powder particles would sift throughout the school.
The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) union brought in Precision, Inc. to perform air-quality testing which found no toxins in the air in March of this year. The teachers allege that no agency has tested the dust or white powder they say is still prevalent in building.
One veteran teacher, out of school since early May with her voice all but gone, took a dust sample off her school windowsill to ESML Analytical, Inc.'s Materials Science Division in Westmont, NJ. It was found by laboratory manager John Newtown and materials scientist Lalitha R. Katipelli to &#8220have a combination of cementitious material consistent with brick and cement block (cinder block).” According to the lab report, &#8220The materials are a combination of sand (Quartz) and calcite/lime.”
&#8220Even breathing was extremely uncomfortable,” one teacher said of the dust. &#8220Coughing, my eyes getting itchy and watery, just walking into the building I'd get congested. I had dust flying into my face.”
The teachers also allege construction began between 3:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. while children were still in the school. SCA protocol says when construction begins, the building is supposed to be empty. Olson said that teachers told him that DOE dust control protocol hasn't been followed either. The area where dust is found is supposed to be earmarked with warning signs that say, &#8220Do Not Enter” and covered. &#8220That wasn't done,” Olson said.
More than 100 accident reports, filed when teachers miss days due to sickness, were allegedly handed into the school's administration, according to the teachers.
Because of pending legal issues, neither the DOE nor SCA would comment. An interview request with Assistant Principal Kathy Posa was denied. In fact, when The Queens Courier visited the school, seeking documents and further information, assistant principal Wayne Lipman threatened to have the reporter thrown in jail. After the journalist left, Lipman allegedly went on the loud speaker and warned teachers not to speak with him.
Staff members have proposed that Clayton Group Services, Inc., an independent cleaning company suggested by Mount Sinai Hospital, thoroughly cleanse the school before school resumes on August 31. The clean-up would cost approximately $7,500, according to an estimate for the work. However, the UFT and DOE have yet to respond to this proposal. One appalled teacher said she was told by Posa the staff could pay the tab.
Olson sent a letter to Councilmember John Liu, asking him to get involved. Liu has spoken with Trance, Olson and some teachers. He plans to meet with them all in the near future. &#8220It seems to be a serious situation,” Liu said. &#8220This really needs to be investigated fully. … No construction is pleasant, but if there is any danger, that is a situation that needs be rectified immediately.”
&#8220If [protocol is] not being followed, action must be taken and people held accountable,” Liu concluded.