Mold issue resolved; classrooms reopen at Crafton Elementary
Four Crafton Elementary School rooms that had been off-limits for nearly a month after elevated concentrations of mold spores were found finally reopened Wednesday.
Carlynton School District Superintendent John Kreider notified parents Tuesday night that after remediation, restoration, cleaning and environmental testing completed over the past several weeks, Intertek PSI – the district’s environmental consultant – confirmed that all four classrooms were “appropriate for normal occupancy.”
That meant kindergarten students could return to their regular classrooms Wednesday.
Kreider told school district trustees and those who attended Tuesday night’s board meeting that families, teachers and school staff deserved thanks for coping with the situation, which began unfolding on Aug. 17 when teachers returning to the classroom noticed higher than expected humidity levels in some rooms.
Kreider acknowledged that teaching in a temporary space “requires more than moving materials.”
“It means adjusting routines, reorganizing lessons and helping students feel comfortable while managing uncertainty yourselves,” Kreider said Wednesday in a statement.
He noted that when classrooms are displaced, it creates a ripple effect throughout a building.
“Sharing space, adjusting schedules and helping colleagues all require patience and cooperation,” he said, with a nod to the school staff. “Willingness to support one another has helped us keep the focus on students.”
Kreider also thanked district families for their flexibility and for sharing questions and concerns.
“We understand the importance of knowing what is happening in your child’s school,” he wrote.
Assessments and testing took place on several occasions over the past month, and various materials, including carpeting, ceiling tiles and affected porous materials had to be removed. HVAC work also was needed in the affected classrooms, as was additional cleaning. New carpeting and ceiling tiles were later installed.
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