I have a personal story to share that may influence your vote in the up coming Shawnee School Bond election.
From 1985 to 1989 I was assigned to Will Rogers Elementary School as principal. In 1989 I accepted the position of elementary principal in a neighboring school district. The third grade classes were located in an older building with a flat roof. The principal’s office, teachers work room and attendance office were also located there. The roof leaked profusely and during any rain the teachers and custodians would wage a battle with the leaks armed with waste paper baskets, buckets, mops and any other container that would hold water. Insulation would get wet, air ducts would drip water and ceiling tile would fall out. The presence of mold and a musty smell was evident throughout the building. As the school year progressed we began to note an increase in the number of students with breathing problems but did not associate it with the building environment.
The 1990-91 school year began after a particularly rainy summer (much like what we had this year). In September, I, with four others working in this building, became very ill. We were all diagnosed with pneumonia. I experienced problems upon returning to work with severe coughing and difficulty breathing resulting in frequent trips to the emergency room.
The family doctor referred me to a pulmonary specialist in Oklahoma City where after further biopsy and test of the lungs I was diagnosed with Legionaries Disease, resulting in severe asthma. It was believed that my condition was the direct result of breathing daily the microbes/mold that grew in the wet insulation and air ducts of this school building. I have often wondered what long term problems the children suffered that I mention earlier. My condition eventually forced me to take a medical retirement in 1992 all because of a leaky roof. Once afflicted with this condition it never improves but gradually worsens and you learn to live with it.
My point in this letter is, “Keep Shawnee Schools Clean And Healthy!” Do not let this happen to your children, the teachers and staff of the Shawnee High School. For their health’s sake please support the bond issue.
Jan Rosenbaum
Shawnee
