Union representative raises mold, carpet and safety concerns at several Rockford schools

Claudia Marshall, speaking as a representative of the Rockford Education Association, told the Rockford Public Schools Board of Education that several district schools have ongoing mold and water-related problems and that she believes the district's response has been inconsistent across neighborhoods.
Marshall said mold issues occurred at Ellis, Guilford, McIntosh and Spring Creek and that district statements that affected schools had been cleaned and sanitized were inaccurate, in her view. "Staff and admin returned to those schools on eight-eleven and the mold had reappeared and the carpet was still wet," Marshall said, later adding she personally encountered a "barnyard smell" in one classroom.
She told the board she and the union were thanked for attention by Board President Paul Carpenter and Vice President Nicole Bennett but said some principals were told they could not receive new carpet because there was no stock left. Marshall said pallets of carpet in storage were marked "Macintosh" and asked the board why East Side schools received replacements while West Side schools did not.
Marshall also said a student at Ellis fell on wet, humid floors and "was being checked for a concussion at the hospital," stating that staff confirmed the fall was due to wet conditions.
Marshall asked Morgan Gallagher to distribute an exhibit to board members to document her remarks. The board did not take action at the meeting; during public comment the board does not respond and staff will follow up if appropriate, the presiding official said.