UPDATE: Thursday morning

Survey: Health danger for Corona del Sol students

An Arizona State University professor interviewed nearly 2,000 students and 100 staff member.

According to the results, those who had classes around the auditorium that's been nicknamed "Tumor Hall" were sick much more often than those who avoided the area.

The district released a statement on Wednesday calling the conclusions "misguided."

One parent who recently transferred her kids to another school said she's disgusted by administrators' inaction.

"They need to shut is down, do a comprehensive test, fix it, re-open it," said DeeAnne Clowes. "Doing it in any other order than that is not acceptable."

Some of the more common problems include sore throats, chronic illnesses and asthma. A few people have even been diagnosed with tumors.

UPDATE: Sunday, May 11

TEMPE - More air quality problems are coming to light at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe.

A survey was completed last month by about 2,000 students and faculty there. The same survey was taken by about 1,500 at Marcos High. It covered health issues from respiratory problems, migranes, fatigue and dizziness.

The results are clear: A higher rate of illnesses at Corona del Sol.

The district is struggling to come up with money to replace their 30-year-old ventilation system.

ORIGINAL REPORT:

TEMPE - A decision was made tonight as to whether or not concerned parents, students and staff at Corona del Sol would be able to ask for their own testing.

The Clean Air Coalition is made up of parents, students and staff from the school. They want testing to be conducted at the school by an independent agency.

The district hired Health Effects Group, based in Tucson, to conduct a study of the environmental conditions among other factors at the facility.

Members of the Clean Air Coalition now say they are willing to pay for another company to conduct the testing and evaluation and it would not cost the district a cent.

State Sen. Meg Burton-Cahill has told students, parents and teachers she's sorry for the ongoing problems at a Tempe high school.

The apology from the Tempe-based senator comes after years of complaints about bad air at Corona del Sol High School.

Burton-Cahill criticized the Legislature Thursday for underfunding state-mandated help to maintain school facilities.

Recent studies have linked the ventilation to poor air quality, high carbon dioxide levels and mold growth at the high school.

An alarming number of teachers and other staff at the school have suffered health issues.