Several members of the Biddeford School Committee say that Mayor Joanne Twomey, who also chairs the committee, has gone too far in criticizing her colleagues.

In an unusual step, four committee members will hold a press conference today at which they plan to “correct and clarify recent statements” by Twomey regarding a recent vote to further analyze air quality at Biddeford High School.

Twomey has gone on television and written a letter to the editor questioning the wisdom of hiring another consultant to do more air-quality testing.

Committee members will be joined by parents, students and residents at 6 p.m. in the Wonderbar Restaurant, 12 Washington St.

“By policy, the mayor is the committee spokesperson, but clearly that has not been working,” said School Committee member Laura Seaver.

Last week, the School Committee voted 4-2 to spend as much as $39,000 to conduct further air-quality testing at the high school.

The high school is undergoing a $34 million renovation project that some parents believe is making students sick.

Originally, the school department hired Air Quality Management of Gray, which found poor air quality in three classrooms. Those rooms were sealed off and cleaned.

But, at the insistence of parents, the School Committee hired H.L. Turner Group of Harrison for a second opinion.

Seaver said Twomey, who does not cast votes in the committee unless there is a tie, has openly criticized the majority who voted to hire H.L. Turner, even writing a letter to the editor of the Biddeford Journal Tribune in support of her views. Roberta Bernier, Anthony Michaud, Peggy Bean and Seaver voted to hire H.L. Turner.

“If we are going to spend $39,000 we should be going in a specific direction,” Twomey said.

Twomey said the school department needs to identify the source of the medical issues before it spends more money.

“I am not insensitive to air-quality issues,” Twomey said, referring to her efforts to try to close the trash-to-energy plant in downtown Biddeford. “What are we looking for? Right now it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack.”

Bernier, a School Committee member, says the mayor needs to back off so the committee can protect the health of students. She said her daughter, who experienced allergic reactions when the renovations began, now attends Old Orchard Beach High School.

“For her (Twomey) to be slamming the School Committee members who voted to hire this consultant is unacceptable,” Bernier said. “Our goal is to put the truth out there because there is definitely something going on.”

Today’s press conference will be followed by a regular School Committee meeting, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Though the air-quality issue is not on the agenda, Seaver and Bernier say they are almost certain it will be brought up.

Twomey said she was not upset at her colleagues’ decision to hold a press conference.

“They have to do what they have to do,” she said. “After all, it’s a democracy.”

Staff Writer Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:
dhoey@pressherald.com