Too many Toronto schools are mouldy oldies with so many maintenance problems that children's health is at risk, a parents' group reported yesterday.

Using school board and union studies, the Toronto Parent Network said mould, asbestos, vermin droppings, leaky roofs, plus fire and electrical problems are still in 81% of schools cited for similar infractions in 2005.

"It was very shocking to find little has changed," Andrea Reynolds, the report's ramrod, told reporters at Central Technical High School -- one of the worst cited of 405 in the report.

Network spokesman Cathy Dandy accused the provincial government of underspending and doing "politically targeted" repairs or reconstruction after promising to reverse their Tory predecessors' failing grades.

"They are engaged in willful neglect," Dandy said.

The parent group called for the auditor-general to conduct a "value-for-money" study of elementary and secondary school facilities, particularly focusing on Toronto.

Since the last audit in 1998, the network said there has been "a steady decline in the condition of our buildings," with fewer custodians doing maintenance and complicated budgets that limit how principals spend their money.

Reynolds accused trustees and the Toronto District School Board, which has a $1-billion major school repair backlog, of "a serious lack of leadership."

The board maintains the tax dollars it receives don't meet the need.

After the report's release, Central Tech principal Rick Tarusuk said it was "probably" too harsh.

"You have to take it at face value and do your own investigation."

He said many complaints were less serious than first alleged, including one about classroom mould that was merely caused by a quickly repaired leak of rusty water.

In the study, Central Tech's arts building was cited for mould, but the fungus was not listed in the main structure.

Asbestos was listed, but is in most schools, insulating furnaces, chief custodian George Gouvis said.

"It's coated to prevent it becoming airborne, which is when asbestos poses a threat."