BUDA — At its Nov. 28 meeting, the Hays CISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved both compensation for teachers and costs to repair Hemphill Elementary School in Kyle after discovering mold on the campus.
On Nov. 2, Hays CISD announced that the school would be closed for six days following the discovery of a large amount of Aspergillus/Penicillium — which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can affect people with weakened immune systems or cause allergies — after concerns that a mold smell was spreading. Upon an air quality test and further inspection, at least 13 classrooms were affected with mold reaching approximately three feet from the floor inside the walls. The school ended up being closed for a total of 11 days. A floor project that was conducted without air conditioning one summer was discussed amongst board members as the assumed cause of the mold.
Aspergillus, the mold (a type of fungus) that causes aspergillosis, is very common both indoors and outdoors, so most people breathe in fungal spores every day, according to the CDC. It’s nearly impossible to completely avoid breathing in some Aspergillus spores.
For people with healthy immune systems, breathing in Aspergillus isn’t harmful, the CDC stated. However, for people who have weakened immune systems, breathing in Aspergillus spores can cause an infection in the lungs or sinuses which can spread to other parts of the body.
When Hemphill was shut down to prioritize safety, teachers were assigned to other campuses to provide support. Those who declined to work at another campus could submit their leave. Board Policy DEA (Local) authorizes the board to approve payment in unique situations such as this.
“The Board of Trustees of Hays CISD recognizes its obligation to be good stewards of public resources and concludes that payment of employees during the closure, as provided by this resolution, is in the best interest of the school district and serves the appropriate public purpose of positively impacting employee’s morale,” stated the resolution. “[It] aligns with the district's commitment to being an unrivaled, employee friendly organization and ensures effective district operations.”
By approving the item, employees will not be required to makeup the time or workdays missed and will be compensated for their regular duty schedule during the closure in accordance with eligibility requirements and restrictions listed:
• Any employee who had previously requested and been approved for paid or unpaid leave on Nov. 2, 2023, through Nov. 10, 2023, will be charged the appropriate leave day(s) and/or will have their pay docked for those pre-approved absences during the closure.
• Any employee who was required to work during the closure, but was absent from duty for a reason not related to mold remediation will be charged a leave day(s) and/or have their pay docked in accordance with District policy.
• All other Hemphill Elementary School employees who were not able to work due to the closure on Nov. 2, 2023, will be compensated for their regular duty schedule.
• Eligible nonexempt employees paid on an hourly, not salaried, basis will be paid on an average daily rate of pay, as determined by the Superintendent, even though they did not work Nov. 2, 2023.
“In accordance with Board Policy DEA (Local), the superintendent, or designee, is authorized to properly compensate those non-exempt auxiliary employees who reported to work as directed and who performed duties assigned by their supervisor(s) on Nov. 2-10,” read the resolution.
Prior to approving the resolution, trustee Johnny Flores praised Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright for “once again choosing to take care of our employees and our teachers.”
Though the mold was cleared and it is now safe for students to attend, significant damage was left as a result, leading the board to consider an item that would approve an estimated $858,380 in repairs to Hemphill Elementary School to be funded through a 2021 bond. The price is unofficial, as the $30,000 air quality testing does not include the testing done at Fuentes and Elm Grove Elementary Schools.
Immediately after discussion opened, trustee Byron Severance brought up the ability to claim insurance to limit the out-of-pocket costs, but Wright explained that mold is excluded from their current policy.
“Of course it is,” said Severance.
“So, mold was excluded from the policy. Is that just typical in all policies?” said trustee Courtney Runkle.
According to Wright, there was an option, but it would require a “substantial fee,” prompting Runkle to request it be added following the end of the district’s current policy.
Approximately one-third of the rooms were repaired during Thanksgiving break and the others will be finished over winter break. Chief Communication Officer Tim Savoy noted that the only repairs left are for finishing touches, such as replacing trim.
To watch the full meeting, visit bit.ly/3RpQwPt.
