With the return of students to K-12 schools nationwide, many maintenance and engineering managers are confronted with a range of challenges created by higher occupancy rates in facilities that often have not been maintained properly. Managers in two U.S. school districts are facing just such a challenge in the form of mold and the indoor air quality issues it can create.
In Memphis, students at Peabody Elementary School will attend class at two other buildings while the school district works to eliminate mold from the 114-year-old structure. Peabody closed Sept. 8 after mold was discovered in the ductwork and grates on the school’s first floor. District officials said they will update parents on when they plan to move Peabody’s 323 students back into the building. This is the second time in the past two school years that MSCS students and staff have had to change schools because of issues linked to aging buildings.
In Connecticut, just days before the school year began, parents became concerned after receiving an email from Windsor Public Schools about mold in Oliver Ellsworth School. Windsor health officials said that elevated humidity levels at the school, which serves pre-kindergarten to second grade, were the cause. Since then, crews have been cleaning and disinfecting the school, as well as inspecting books and other materials for mold.
Superintendent Terrell Hill said the school has 36 dehumidifiers running and that as of Sept. 15, the humidity in the classrooms was in the low 40s when it is usually in the 60s.
Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering and management.
