Testing at Monessen Elementary Centers confirms moderate-to-light mold growth found

Testing done at the Monessen Elementary Center was contained to several areas.

Moderate to light amounts of mold growth were discovered at Monessen Elementary Center following testing in several areas of the building.

To ensure student safety, Superintendent Dr. Robert Motte said last week that the district conducted proactive air quality testing at the elementary school as a precaution following the announcement there were mold issues discovered at the middle/high school earlier this month.

“Containing and isolating impacted areas at the elementary center is operationally more manageable due to its self-contained structure,” Motte told the Mon Valley Independent Wednesday. “In contrast, the middle and high school building presents unique challenges, as shared air handling systems, frequent student movement between classes, and centralized common spaces require a far more complex containment strategy.

The testing was conducted by Corwin Inspections LLC on Aug. 18 because there were also concerns about water- damaged materials and leaking or cracked rainwater conductors in selected areas of the elementary center, according to a statement from the district Wednesday evening announcing the results.

Results identified several areas requiring mediation, but the report emphasized that it did not identify any mold growth characterized as “high.”

“The assessment involved a visual inspection and representative air and surface sampling in selected locations,” the release said. “The report emphasizes that the screening was limited to the areas sampled and was not a comprehensive evaluation of the entire building.”

The library was one of the areas with moderate fungal growth, and it was confirmed to be on the cracked rainwater conductor. The library sample also showed evidence of a localized indoor fungal source, and that the air quality was more poor than normal indoor air quality.

Minimal and light fungal growths were also found on the water damaged ceiling tile in the hallway adjacent to the superintendent’s office, a wall in the third floor girl’s bathroom.

The stained ceiling tile outside the library and the cafeteria ceiling tile were also tested, and did not contain fungal growths. Other indoor air samples did not show evidence of amplified airborne mold at the time of testing.

The report also identified active, recurrent or unresolved moisture concerns in several locations, including the cracked library rainwater conductor, a saturated ceiling tile, water stained ceiling tiles in the gymnasium and elevated moisture in portions of the gymnasium exterior masonry.

The district previously announced the start of the school year was delayed until Sept. 8 due to “abnormalities” in the walls of the middle/ high school that were discovered and determined to be mold.

Motte told the MVI that the district also does not plan on delaying the district’s start even further past Sept. 8.

Based on the elementary’s findings, the district is moving forward with professional remediation and corrective work designed to address both the affected materials and the sources of moisture, the release said.

During the remediation process, treated areas will be contained, and the district will update the public moving forward, according to the release. An emergency plan and a reopening plan will be released soon, Motte said.

Motte stated that the district is committed to providing a safe, structured and high-quality educational environment as they welcome our students back for the school year.

“Safety in the learning environment is very important to us,” Motte told the MVI Wednesday. “We will take every precaution necessary to ensure that students and staff are safe.”