It looks like the Stars & Stripes publicity of the poor condition of the Seoul American Middle School had the positive effect of getting needed renovations for the school:

Problems with rats, mold and cold at Seoul American Middle School will be tackled this summer in a $600,000 renovation project.

The Department of Defense Dependents Schools—Pacific announced Thursday that workers will make improvements to buildings 3560 through 3565, six structures commonly referred to as the “huts,” which were built in 1970 and “are overdue for both interior and exterior repairs.”

“We are fully committed to being flexible and creative in finding ways to better serve our current students,” DODDS Korea District Superintendent Irby Miller said in a news release. “We are focused on solutions that will meet both our current and projected enrollment needs so we can comfortably welcome even more families.”

Stars and Stripes first reported on problems at the school in Tuesday’s editions. That day, the school’s conditions also came under scrutiny from Army Secretary John McHugh, who inspected the facilities during a three-day visit to South Korea.

“It clearly has some challenges,” McHugh said of the school. “I think we all want to make sure we’re doing right by our students.”

Mold, rat infestation, insufficient air and heating systems, overcrowding and the smell of raw sewage in one classroom were among problems school staff described to Stars and Stripes.

DODDS-Pacific spokesman Charly Hoff said some of the renovations will include $106,300 to provide heat pump units, $33,000 to upgrade bathroom facilities, $107,300 to replace carpets with floor tile, and $88,000 to repair sidewalks and perform other work outside the school buildings.

“This is just the beginning,” Hoff said. “We are going to begin looking at the other facilities across the Seoul schools complex for additional improvement projects.”  [Stars & Stripes]