By Linda Conner Lambeck

WESTPORT — Air-quality testing at Long Lots Elementary School in the aftermath of asbestos abatement and asphalt work this summer shows humidity levels higher than normal in two parts of the school.

Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice told the school board’s Finance and Facilities Committee meeting this week the elevated levels deserve further evaluation, but assured the panel the readings are not a cause for concern.

Committee members asked Scarice if those areas are safe. He called the building 100 percent safe.

“There is nothing alarming,” said Scarice, offering an overview of a study conducted last week by Langan Engineering of New Haven.

Out of 27 air samples reported taken, most came in at normal ranges, meaning they were less than or equal to outdoor air quality, Scarice said.

The two samples that came in at slightly elevated ranges were from the stage part of the auditorium and Room 9, described as a lower-level storage room, partially below grade and adjacent to a crawl space, according to the oral report.

Followup tests showed the humidity levels in those locations declined later in the day.

The full air-quality monitoring report, Scarice said, would be released to the board and then to public in the coming days.

Already, board members have toured work done at the school this summer. Some said they detected odors in certain parts of the building.

Both Scarice and Elio Longo, the district’s chief financial officer, suggested as a follow up, the board consider a proposal by Colliers Project Leaders to perform a study on the Long Lots mechanical, electrical, plumbing and building enclosure systems.

Collier’s $35,700 proposal would be designed to complement the Langan Engineering work, according to a four-page proposal provided to the committee.

Longo said the district’s Facilities Department does not have the expertise in window and HVAC systems or other areas that Collier would provide.

It was recommended that the work be done soon, during “cooling season” while HVAC systems are operating so results could be available by September.

The three-member committee — led by Elaine Whitney, its chairwoman — wondered if the project should not be put out to bid in accordance with Board of Education policy.

“Would it make sense to get two or three other quotes from other vendors?” Whitney asked.

Longo said it is possible, but added that Collier would be his recommendation based on its familiarity with the school.

He said the company has proposed investing 200 hours toward the study that would look at all of the school’s cooling systems, water heaters, lighting and switchboard systems, the roof, windows and doors.

Whitney suggested the question go to the full school board.

Because air quality is involved, board member Liz Heyer wondered if federal COVID relief money to the school district could pay for some of the work.

Collier is the same firm being considered to manage capital projects for the district. 

In 2018, Langan, through Hygenix, Inc., performed a similar air-quality assessment at Coleytown Middle School, where airborne mold was detected and measured.

Joe Nader, a Long Lots parent, told board members he is hopeful the further study would go beyond detecting problems and help to determine trends, the cause of problems and how to prevent them.

“We need a mold-prevention plan,” Nader said, “and get to the bottom of where it is coming from.”

Mold is usually exacerbated by high humidity and heavy summer rains.