Board approves Erie Restoration contract after mold found in schools

Superintendent (name not specified) told the Worcester City Schools Board that the district had experienced "kind of an eventful couple weeks" because of mold growth in several areas and recommended hiring Erie Restoration Emergency Services to perform cleaning and mold remediation. The board moved and seconded the contract approval during the work session and recorded affirmative votes from board members whose names appear in the transcript.

Why it matters: The district said the mold followed a very humid summer and recent carpet cleaning, creating a "perfect storm" in a few areas. Board approval authorizes remedial work and follow-up testing to confirm indoor-air safety.

According to the superintendent, Erie Restoration was selected to do the cleaning work while an independent party provides recommendations and testing. "Erie is the company that was selected. They're not quite done, but they're done with most of it at this point, I think," the superintendent said. The district expects testing to continue "in the next week." The superintendent also thanked district staff, saying Mr. Madigan and his team have worked "very hard."

Discussion versus decision: The board formally moved and seconded approval of the Erie Restoration contract; the transcript records affirmative vocal responses from board members identified in the record as Kynan and Starcher. The transcript does not include a full roll-call tally in the provided segment.

Next steps: Erie Restoration will complete remaining cleanup work and the district will continue testing in the coming week to confirm remediation effectiveness.