When health-threatening mold was found in Elkhardt Middle School, Richmond Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden and his staff took action.

They ultimately closed the building and moved the teachers, students and staff to the reopened Clark Springs Elementary School building in the West End for the rest of the school year.

But some parents and teachers remain unconvinced that the health threat at the South Richmond school building was just discovered earlier this year. They think that the adults and children at the school might have been exposed far longer, possibly exacerbating health issues or creating ones that may manifest in the future.

So, quite reasonably, they submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for any data and information about air quality and mold problems that might have existed in the aging Elkhardt building but went unaddressed. They asked the school system for records going back 10 years.

The response from the school system: No problem. Just pay us about $2,000 to conduct such a search of our records. And provide half up front.

This is disappointing.

One would think Dr. Bedden already would have such information and would be willing easily to share it. After all, at least four serious studies have been conducted on the condition of every city school building in the past 12 years.

Indeed, one such study currently is being wrapped up and should be made public within two months. Surely the school system’s managers also have conducted regular checks of each building to determine maintenance needs.

So why is it necessary to force families with little money to shell out big bucks for readily available information — information that the school system already has bought and paid for?

If the Richmond School Board truly wants to show it represents our students and their families, then its members should be eager to provide this information to help, pardon the expression, clear the air.

Board members also need this information, and similar information about other schools, to ensure that the air quality is satisfactory and not a cause for alarm.

In our view, Dr. Bedden needs to view the FOIA request as an opportunity to build trust and expand community outreach. He and the School Board should be eager to dispel any concern that important information related to the health of those who use the public schools might have been hidden.