SAN DIEGO -- Former San Diego elementary school teacher Susan Brinchman claims there is a huge mold problem at Sherman Elementary School and little is being done about it, 10News reported.

She says the school and school district are well aware of the problem that it is making children and staff sick.

"No one should be occupying that school," Brinchman said .

In 1999, she came down with lung problems that eventually forced her to leave Sherman Elementary and teaching altogether.

"I started with severe lung problems -- breathing problems that started after I was in the library, where a lot of people have reported illness," she said .

"I remember one particular meeting with the school nurse saying, ' What is wrong with this school? Half the kids are on medication, there is something wrong with this school. It's not normal,'" Brinchman added .

Salvador Rivera, 10News investigative reporter, recently toured the school and found what he thought looked like mold.

Pictures taken on the roof also show what looks like mold growing on walls and in the ventilation system, Rivera reported.

Two years ago, the school district hired a firm to test for mold at the school and according to the study, Sherman Elementary was safe.

Brinchman says the tests are not accurate because they were conducted with the air-conditioning system off.

But the school district stands by the findings saying, "the most current test results show no elevated levels of mold."

"I don't see them taking responsibility. I see them dodging it," Brinchman said .

While the earlier tests gave the school a clean bill of health, 10News has learned more tests are now taking place by the San Diego County Health Department. The results are not available yet.

In the meantime, Sherman Elementary is still open.

"I think it's really criminal to keep the school is open," Brinchman said.

Rivera said parents he spoke with say their children are constantly getting sick. However, they didn't want to talk to Rivera on the record for fear of retaliation from the school.

Brinchman has filed for worker's compensation claim and created a Web site called School Mold Help for people worried about mold.

For more information, visit www.healthyschools.org