CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. – East Pennsboro Elementary school will be closed Thursday due to an ongoing mold problem.
According to Superintendent Jay Burkhart , a teacher in Room 001 of the school reported seeing spots of mold growing on a bulletin board attached to her closet doors. After a visual inspection the building principal, a maintenance employee and Burkhart determined there was cause to investigate the concern further. At the time of the assessment the students were out of the room for lunch and recess. Except for being permitted back in the room to gather their belongings, the students remained out of the room for the remainder of the day until dismissal. Students were dismissed earlier than scheduled.
The district immediately contacted the two consultants, TJ&M Service Professional Industrial HVAC Duct Cleaning and Cumberland Analytical Laboratories, Inc. to assist in the assessment of the situation. After a visual inspection of the building, including humidity readings taken in multiple areas, the consultants advised that the mod was an isolated case. In an effort to take additional precautions the district collected multiple air quality samples in the building and will be evaluating the HVAC systems of the lower level.
With the air quality samples not being returned until later tomorrow, East Pennsboro Elementary will remain closed on Thursday, September 1.
Students who attend West Creek Hills Elementary, East Pennsboro Area High School (currently holding classes at East Pennsboro Middle School), and East Pennsboro Area Middle School will be in session.
District officials will determine based upon the results of the air samples whether East Pennsboro Elementary School will open for Friday, September 2nd.
