By Adam Pagnucco.
Back in December, MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor proposed a $10 million, 20 percent increase in the district’s maintenance of plant spending as part of his recommended FY26 operating budget. Taylor referred to MCPS’s facility maintenance strategy as kicking the can down the road and asked, “What happens if this trend continues? We are nearing a cliff and if we don’t change direction soon, recovery will be even more costly.”
Taylor got some backup from a distressed elementary school PTA president at yesterday’s school board meeting. New Hampshire Estates ES PTA President Nancy McInerney testified that “Every single staff member and student is breathing in mold” at her school. And she didn’t just say it; she brought pictures. Following is video, a transcript and pictures from her testimony. But first, two questions.
Is MCPS subject to county health inspections? Chapter 15 of the county code gives the director of the Department of Health and Human Services broad authority to inspect and shut down food service facilities. It’s hard to imagine any private sector cafeteria serving food in conditions like this passing an inspection.
And if McInerney’s testimony is accurate, is this a matter of potential legal liability for MCPS and the county?
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Hello, My name is Nancy McInerney, I am the PTA president for New Hampshire Estates. It is one of the highest need schools in the district, so it sits on the top of the list of Title 1 schools. My testimony today is about the school building conditions and the ramifications of its disrepair on the teachers and our already disadvantaged student population. The heating and cooling (HVAC) of this building has not worked properly in years. Please take a look at these photos that our teachers have shared:
A bulletin board with black mold…
A table with mold…
A chair with mold…
Carpets with mold…
White ceiling tiles covered in mold because of the humidity and no air flow which fall to show us all the mold…
Even a power cord with mold…
Here is a teacher’s doctor recommendations on her poor health because of the mold.
Now it is time to fix this huge problem. Mold in classrooms and spores circulating in the building is inhaled by all people who enter the school. Every single staff member and student is breathing in mold, and has been for years. The art and music rooms haven’t had heat or AC this entire year. In January and February the students had to wear coats to these classes, because it was 50 degrees F.
The Teachers Union is aware of its members unsafe working conditions. Our beloved Principal Mr. Bob Geiger has raised these issues with the administration for years. Now it is time for YOU to act. I want you, the Board of Education to visit New Hampshire Estates to see our amazing staff and students, and stay to experience the mold and building disrepair. I wish it was as easy as buying a humidifier, or a fan, or even a new HVAC system, but the fact is that this building is not safe. Montgomery County Public Schools has to make New Hampshire Estates Elementary School a safe place to learn. Thank you.