GIRARD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Board will seeks ventilation study

The engineering analysis could result in a lawsuit over the new building.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- The board of education is looking to hire an independent engineer to study what went wrong at the Girard Intermediate School.
The board's attorney, Bruce A. Zaccagnini of Cleveland, has set a Nov. 14 deadline for engineers to submit their qualifications.
The new school building opened in 2000 and closed in May 2001 because pupils, staff and teachers were complaining of health problems.
Remedial work such as removing carpeting and replacing duct work has been done, but carbon dioxide levels remain high in the building.
"The board wants to know why," Zaccagnini said, noting the board is seeking an "independent expert" to examine the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
Ventilation system
The building was designed by Ricciuti, Balog & amp; Partners, a Youngstown architectural firm. The ventilation system, for the most part, was designed by Steel Valley Engineering of Boardman. Remedial work was done by Roth Bros. Inc. of Austintown.
Zaccagnini said the board wants a study to be done of the system's design and to determine if it was installed properly.
A legal notice in The Vindicator said the scope of the study includes reviewing building codes in effect during construction and verifying the correctness of the HVAC system as it relates to size, type and operating characteristics and reviewing construction documents.
Allegations
There have been allegations that duct work with the insulation inside it shouldn't have been used and that the insulation became wet before it was installed, resulting in mold in the ventilation system.
Depending on the results of the study, Zaccagnini said, a lawsuit to recover money could be filed.
"You always hope to avoid litigation," the attorney asserted, noting that if a company is determined to be responsible for the problems, it should be corrected by the company and restitution made to the school district.
Zaccagnini said he doesn't know how much the study will cost. It won't be known until the proposals are reviewed.
He pointed out a number of engineers have responded. "I'm encouraged by that."
Legal battle
The health issues at the building resulted in parents' seeking the removal of school board members. They contended the board neglected to inform parents of the problems with the building.
Visiting Judge Mitchell F. Shaker ruled Oct. 15 in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court that there was no gross neglect of duty by the board.
yovich@vindy.com