Dear Editor:

I would like to reply to your article dated October l7, 2002, "Murphy Principle Responds to Concerns About Mold, Health." As a very involved parent of two former students who attended the Murphy School last year, I would like to make a few comments about the article.

First and most importantly I would like to thank Michael McLaughlin (Murphy School teacher and parent) on behalf of many other parents and teachers for his continuous and diligent efforts to make the Murphy as environmentally safe as possible for our children. Mrs. Russo, Principal and Mr. Kevin Monahan, parent, should be commended for their genuine concern and efforts on behalf of the Murphy School students also.

Personally I did not feel the Boston Herald article put the Murphy School in a "bad light" or "panic mode." What I believe the article was attempting to due was to "shed light" on a potentially unhealthy situation that exists in not just the Murphy, but numerous buildings across the City that were built during the energy crisis in the l970's.

I was the only parent that was not an employee of the school that participated in the Environmental Committee meetings that Mrs. Russo held at the Murphy to remedy the concerns of both parents and teachers. Neither I, nor Michael McLaughlin, ever felt that the School Department representatives that attended these meetings "turned a deaf ear to our concerns."

Jeff Lane, Kerri Griffin and Bob Macrelli, were among these representatives who participated, faithfully in these meetings. At the request of Mr. Jeff Lane, Michael McLaughlin conducted a survey of the staff (approximately 100 people) to obtain information about any potentially unhealthy environmental issues that concerned them. A large majority of responses concerned issues about the irregular temperature in the building and several issues concerning the "Univent System," which is the method used to heat and cool the building. Outside air enters these systems, is filtered, then used to heat or cool the building, then exits the system. The windows at the Murphy do not open, meaning the students, teachers and staff, are constantly subjected to the lack of fresh air on a daily basis. They must hope and rely on these "Univent Systems" to provide healthy air throughout the school day. Some problems that arise with a system like this is that filters have to be changed on a regular basis to provide a healthy environment. Also, unmaintained, the system itself can become a great environment for the growth of mold and bacteria being sent airborne to those in the building.

The Murphy School, along with all of the schools and buildings that use the Univent systems are on regular maintenance schedules for cleaning and filter changes. But how do we know that these schedules are always adhered to and are sufficient to make these systems healthy for the people who occupy these buildings?

I am not an expert in environmental issues. As the parent of a child who had to leave the Murphy School because of constant and severe allergic reactions to environmental conditions there, I was forced to educate myself in this area for the well-being of my son. The education he received at the Murphy was outstanding, but his health comes before all else. Mrs. Russo and the staff were more than accommodating to our family, attempting to remedy the situation.

I'm sorry that Mrs. Russo and Kevin Monahan feel they have to defend the Murphy School. It's an extraordinary place for both teachers and students to be part of. The Murphy can set the example, which I think it has already begun to do, to be a leader amongst other Boston schools who face the same environmental issues due to the time period in which they were built.

I think Michael McLaughlin should be commended for addressing a situation that can adversely affect the health of many of our teachers and children, especially those with existing allergy conditions. I don't think the "majority" of the community feels the Murphy School is being put in a bad light. The powers to be have the opportunity here, to rise to the occasion, and be known as the school that put their teachers and students health first!

Sincerely,

Ellen Wyse

Dorchester