Following a contractor’s cleanup of mold at Wiscasset Elementary School, new tests have found no fungi or spores, Superintendent of Schools Heather Wilmot said Aug. 27.

Reporting the results to the Wiscasset School Committee, Wilmot said the school passed tests on air and surface samples, along with a visual evaluation and a moisture reading. Servpro did the mold cleanup for $12,493, and cleaned four second-floor classrooms’ carpets for $1,409, Wilmot said.

“I feel very comfortable that our students and our staff will be safe .... (Servpro) did excellent work,” she said.

The cleanup followed a set of April test results on the building that was then Wiscasset Middle School. An industrial hygienist recommended steps that included wiping and vacuuming.

Weeks before those results and recommendations came out, tests the state did at the school department’s request had found low mold counts; but the results warranted further testing at the school, a state technician has said. Air Quality Management Services did the next round of tests, which led to the cleanup. The firm did the latest tests on July 23, Aug. 10 and Aug. 17.

The superintendent’s office provided a copy of Air Quality Management Services’ report Aug. 28. The report states that no risks are anticipated and no further cleanup is needed.

Controlling moisture will be key to preventing a recurrence, the report states.

School zone lights

offered for a price

North Yarmouth has flashing school zone lights to sell, and the town of Wiscasset is willing to go in 50-50 on them with the school department, Wilmot told the committee. The town and school department would split the $9,000 cost if the committee wants them for Gardiner Road near Wiscasset Middle High School, she said.

Members made no decision, but gave Wilmot several questions to research, including how many lights the $9,000 would buy; could they also be considered for Federal Street where the elementary school is; and where the school department’s share of the cost would come from.

Committee member Glen Craig said he supports improving safety, but that fiduciary responsibility also needs to be considered. It may turn out that the committee does or doesn’t buy the lights but that a larger discussion happens over school zone safety, he said.

The current locations of speed limit signs near the middle high school may have some motorists confused about where each limit begins and ends, Craig said.