Published: September 25, 2008 09:54 pm         

Ten years too long

BOE must do whatever it takes to solve Beckley-Stratton’s odor issues

- Oct. 8, 1998 — “Beckley-Stratton trying to stop sewer stench”

- Oct. 14, 1998 — “Sewer stench persists”

- Oct. 29, 1998 — “Carbon monoxide detected in building”

- Nov. 12, 1998 — “Beckley-Stratton still having problems”

- Nov. 13, 1998 — “Day 7: Students are out of classes again”

- Nov. 14, 1998 — “Problem solved”

- Jan, 21, 1999 — “Fumes cause another stink at Beckley Stratton”

- January 2002 — “Meeting planned to announce results of air quality tests at Beckley-Stratton.”

- October 2005 — “Beckley-Stratton closed 2nd day due to unpleasant odor.”

- Sept. 24, 2008 — “School board again hears complaints about ‘noxious’ odors at Beckley-Stratton”

------

These headlines track the smelly history of a 10-year-old Beckley-Stratton Middle School — a facility supposedly built to state-of-the-art standards.

Continuing issues with not only sewer odors, but also carbon monoxide at times, should not a problem a decade later.

With the sewer smells, you know the potential for illness is there; with carbon monoxide, you’re a sitting duck. It’s colorless and odorless.

In the latest round of complaints, Raleigh County Board of Education President Rick Snuffer promised that the board is committed to fixing the problem. Employees from the state Department of Education’s facilities division visited the school Thursday to try to determine the root of the smell.

Whatever they find, the BOE must follow through on the promise Snuffer made Tuesday.

Over the course of the school’s brief history, too many instructional days — a precious commodity for all schools — have been lost to this recurring mystery smell.

But of more importance are the potential health risks to the students, faculty and staff at the school. That which we breathe in might not have an immediate effect on us today. But inhaling in whatever is in the “noxious” brew that could be in the atmosphere over the course of a 180-day school year for the four years a child attends Beckley-Stratton bring illness later in life. For faculty and staff, that risk is multiplied.

Ten years is long enough. The Raleigh County Board of Education must provide whatever it takes to solve this problem once and for all time.