Teachers, students tell Manatee school board mold and air-quality problems persist at Lakewood Ranch High; district cites remediation steps

A Lakewood Ranch High School teacher told the Manatee County School Board on Oct. 28 that mold and poor indoor air quality in multiple classrooms have forced her from the classroom and are making students and staff sick.

"No one should have to choose between their health and their career," said Renny Fink, who teaches financial math and AP human geography at Lakewood Ranch High School. Fink said she has been out more than three weeks under the guidance of her rheumatologist and that at least 14 rooms on her campus are "significantly impacted." She urged the district to commission professional mold remediation, testing and a review of HVAC policies.

Student Jack Lawrence told the board he has seen mold "in almost every building" and urged the district to keep air conditioning running over weekends to reduce humidity. "This…