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McDowell schools say Old Fort Elementary cleared by inspections; district wins $4 million in state remediation grants
Summary
Facilities director reported structural, air-quality and sediment testing at Old Fort Elementary after flooding; LVT flooring replaced and further remediation underway. State awarded $3 million for West McDowell athletic/facility repairs and $1 million for Pleasant Gardens Elementary.
McDowell County Schools officials told the school board that Old Fort Elementary has passed structural and air-quality inspections and that the district has won $4 million in state remediation grants.
The updates came during a facilities report from Facilities Director Jacob Marsh. Marsh said, “I am proud to announce to the board that there have been 3 inspections that have been conducted by licensed professionals on Old Ford Elementary School.” He said the structural inspection by the original engineering firm found the building “to be structurally safe.”
Why it matters: The school sustained heavy mud and water damage after Hurricane Helene. District staff and contractors removed water and debris, replaced flooring and began remediation steps while arranging further testing and repairs before students return.
What the board heard: Marsh told trustees the district completed an air-quality testing sweep and that Environmental Solutions Group concluded indoor air quality at Old Fort Elementary was “satisfactory.” He said a separate sediment-sampling program produced 25 surface samples; two samples returned values above North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) limits and those samples were submitted to NCDEQ for review. Marsh said those two samples were from the front parking lot and likely reflected vehicle-related combustion residues, not building interior contamination.
Marsh described ongoing and completed repair work: all LVT (luxury vinyl tile) flooring has been replaced; gym floor and painting work are nearly complete; damaged ceiling tiles and some cabinetry were removed and are being remediated; exterior restoration and grass reseeding are underway; and several mini-split HVAC units that were destroyed will be replaced on insurance approval.
Miss Rampey, the district official who worked on grant applications, and Marsh told the board they had applied for and been awarded state funds to repair other storm-damaged facilities. Marsh said the district requested and was granted $3,000,000 to remediate West McDowell Middle School’s baseball field, parking areas and a football practice facility, and $1,000,000 for remediation at Pleasant Gardens Elementary.
Board members asked about sequencing and worker safety; Marsh said he is awaiting NCDEQ’s written response on the sediment samples before moving on exterior remediation that would require staff to work in those areas.
Ending: Marsh said remediation remains ongoing and that the district will provide further updates after receiving NCDEQ’s review. He told the board that the combination of inspections and remediation work supported the district’s prior estimate that Old Fort Elementary could re-open for students in fall 2025, and that he still saw “0 reason to deviate from that.”
