Open house set at revamped Girard school

GIRARD -- An open house at the long-troubled Girard Intermediate School will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
The new building has been closed since May 1, 2001, because of health issues. It had opened in the fall 2000.
The board of education closed the facility because pupils and staff were complaining of rashes, itchy eyes, vomiting and headaches.
The illnesses have been attributed to fungi and algae inside the structure.
Since the closing, 400 intermediate pupils have been attending classes at the junior high school, Tod Woods Intermediate School and Prospect Elementary School.
Interim Superintendent Marty D. Santillo said Monday that remedial work to correct the health problems is complete.
The only exception, he explained, is the fire sprinkler system that will be completed during the summer.
The remedial work has included replacing carpeting with a hard surface flooring and installing new ventilation ducts.
"The building looks very, very nice," Santillo said.
He explained that a moving company was hired and has moved classrooms into the intermediate building.