Monessen may start school year remotely amid mold remediation

Superintendent Dr. Robert Motte says resources, like teacher supplies and instruction materials, inside the affected building cannot be accessed.

By the MVI

The Monessen School District may have to start the year remotely.

The latest announcement from Monessen School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Motte comes less than a week after district officials pushed the start of classes back because mold was found inside the middle-high school building.

In a letter to district families posted on Wednesday, Motte says resources, like teacher supplies and instruction materials, inside the middle-high school building cannot be accessed.

“We understand that this may create challenges for our families and students, and we are working diligently to minimize disruptions,” Motte stated. “There is also a strong possibility that we may need to begin the school year remotely. No final decision has been made at this time. However, we are actively preparing for this possibility so that our students can continue learning with as little interruption as possible.”

The district announced on Saturday that the start of the school year was delayed until Se[t. 8 due to “abnormalities” in the walls of the middle/ high school that were discovered recently through routine maintenance, which prompted the testing, and the fungal growth found was mold.

The fungal growth was discovered on water-damaged areas, including the men’s and women’s restrooms near room H-108, the office women’s room with the adjacent office area and the concession room, which had the most airborne amplification that will require remediation.

The cafeteria and two sampled hallway/common areas immediately outside the isolated area had low airborne mold concentrations. They did not show any signs of amplification at the time of sampling, but that does not mean the area won’t need remediation as well.

Motte stated in Wednesday’s letter that the district has purchased Savvas Learning Co. instructional resources, which will provide teachers and students with access to curriculum materials and instructional resources should they need to begin the school year remotely. “Additional information regarding access and implementation will be shared with families as our plans are finalized,” Motte stated.

In preparation for either an in-person or remote start, Motte stated that plans are already underway to distribute technology to students and staff. Monessen students who did not return a district-issued device at the end of the last school year, are asked to contact Roberta Boso at rboso@monesssd.org as soon as possible.

“I recognize that this situation creates questions and uncertainty for our families. Please know that the district is working continuously to evaluate our options and make decisions that prioritize the safety, education, and well-being of our students and staff,” Motte stated. “This remains a very fluid situation, and circumstances may change quickly. As decisions are made and additional information becomes available, we will communicate with you as promptly and transparently as possible.”

To ensure student safety, Motte said they conducted proactive air quality testing at the elementary school on Wednesday and will report a summary of findings as they did for the middle/high school.