“Very Good News” on Mold Status at Two KCSD Schools

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – Two consultants investigating mold found at two Keystone Central schools had an encouraging report at Thursday night’s school board meeting.

Bill Feerrar from Clear Air Technology of State College and Lynn Stutzman from Cocciardi & Associates of Mechanicsburg reported on their Wednesday air sample test results at the Central Mountain Middle School in Mill Hall and the Woodward Elementary School. Feerar delivered what he called “very good news” relative to samples taken in the vicinity of two classrooms, one in each school, where high levels of mold had been discovered last week, prompting a shutdown of all district schools.

Feerrar said the samples from the Wednesday test showed last week’s slightly elevated samples in the two rooms were localized to just those two rooms. He termed the levels taken from other areas in those two schools not health-threatening and credited the school district in “exercising on the side of caution” in closing district schools.

Stutzman too said the district “went above and beyond” in dealing with last week’s mold findings. School board president Charlie Rosamilia noted that the district has budget problems but said the health and safety of the student body and staff was paramount in Keystone Central’s response.

Next up is remediation procedures to begin on Friday. Once the work is done, further air quality tests will be performed in the two classrooms over the weekend. Superintendent Dr. Al Lonoconus said those results should be back Monday. In response to a question from the superintendent, Stutzman said since the high spore counts were confined to just one classroom at the two schools, the district could seal them off and reopen the schools if the air quality in those two classrooms remains above an acceptable level. The district has indicated, best case scenario, classes across Keystone Central could resume Tuesday, Sept. 11.

Dr.Lonoconus earlier Thursday provided a written update on the mold issue and its effect. It said in part:

“All administration and secretaries will continue to report to their buildings. Central Mountain Middle School and Woodward Elementary administration and secretaries will continue report to KCSD Administration Training Room. If faculty from the unaffected buildings need materials or belongings, they are welcome to obtain those items during school hours.

The district will be closed for students through Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. Our return date is contingent on the recommendations of the experts with regards to the remediation process.

Athletic activities and events will continue as scheduled. All junior high practices and competitions will be held at Central Mountain High School until further notice.

We will continue to provide information as it becomes available.
As always, the safety of our students and staff remain our top priority.
Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.”