Continuing campus construction cause for concern?

06:01 PM CDT on Monday, August 15, 2005

By Janice Williamson / 11 News

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Some parents are concerned that ongoing construction at one area school could put students' health at risk. But that's not the only concern at Wilson Elementary.

KHOU-TV

The debris pile out back gives an idea of just how much remodeling is going on.

When the first day of school lets out it can be something of a free-for-all.

At Wilson Elementary, there was fear the chaos would be inside the classroom.

Just ask some parents.

Christine Soderstrom described the school's condition on Friday. "The air conditioning wasn't working. There were wires hanging from the ceiling. There was no electricity."

By most accounts, what seemed insurmountable on Friday was much improved for this first day of school.

"It's functioning very well. It's safe," said Principal Norma Perez-Gwynn. "Children are in classrooms that have air conditioning, that have lights, that have been cleaned thoroughly."

The debris pile out back gives you an idea of just how much remodeling is going on at the campus -- $4.5 million job that is not finished.

"Our main concern right now is I want to check on the air quality because there's still a lot of dust and they're tarring the roof," said Gayle Fallon, Houston Federation of Teachers.

Other issues remain at the school.

On the second floor there are no working bathrooms and ripped up flooring hasn't been replaced.

"I really kind of thought that we were going to have to walk over things and climb over things, but we didn't have to do that. It was just a perfect walk up the steps, around the corner. No debris anywhere."

Patience, parents said, may be the most important lesson learned here.

According to HISD, the City of Houston tested the quality of the air at the school Monday and found no problems. The campus construction project will likely last another five to six months.