Avella schools closed due to mold spores
Avella Elementary School
Observer-Reporter
Students in Avella Area School District are expected to return to class today after being closed for three days because of elevated levels of mold spores in the elementary and junior/senior high school buildings.
Avella Area schools closed Thursday and today due to elevated mold spore counts at the junior/senior high school and elementary school.
Superintendent Cyril Walther said air-quality samples were taken and the results were received late Wednesday afternoon. The investigation started at the end of last week, when “a teacher reported an odor in a classroom, and we had concerns about that,” Walther said.
He said the air outside the facilities and inside certain areas of the buildings had elevated spore counts. He said there’s no visible mold in the buildings, and he said he had “no confirmation” that any students or staff became ill due to the air quality in the buildings.
The buildings will be professionally cleaned by Firewater Restoration, whose representatives told Walther the elevated levels were most likely caused by high levels of humidity combined with cooler, air-conditioned temperatures indoors.
“What we’re being told is that things weren’t drying the way they should have dried,” Walther said. “It was very minimal at our elementary school – one classroom and a hallway. We’ll clean additional rooms in close proximity.”
At the junior/high school, a majority of the building will be treated and cleaned, because there were multiple classrooms that had elevated counts, he said.
“We want to make sure it’s safe for our students and staff,” he said.
As for the air quality outside, there’s not much the district can do about it, Walther said.
“It’s naturally occurring,” he said. “Once the humidity drops it shouldn’t be a concern anymore.”
The cleaning will continue today, Saturday and Sunday, before the air is tested again. In a letter to parents, Walther said a message will be sent Sunday night after air quality results are received to determine if school will resume on Monday.
“Once they give us the go-ahead that it’s all clear, we plan to resume school, and we’re hoping that’s Monday,” Walther said.
The letter to parents indicated that all home sporting events scheduled for Thursday and today were canceled, but all scheduled away games will take place. Coaches will contact players when practices at the school campus are allowed to resume.