The Round Lake Area Board of Education approved an emergency expenditure Aug. 4 to remediate mold in locker rooms at Round Lake Middle School.

District staff reported that testing by Midwest Environmental Consulting found mold on a ceiling and a pipe in multiple locker rooms. Because the work is needed before the start of the school year and competitive bidding requires a 10-day notice, the board approved an exemption to the bidding process under Board policy 4:60 and authorized remediation work estimated at approximately $41,000.

Administration said the remediation will be managed by the environmental consultant that conducted the testing. The board discussed funding and confirmed the work will be paid from operations and maintenance (O&M) funds. Board members asked whether life-safety funds could be used; administration said state life-safety funds are only available for projects already approved through the state process and therefore are not available for this remediation.

The motion to approve the emergency expenditure was moved by Missus Klingler, seconded by Mister Jewett, and carried by roll call. The board recorded no amendments and directed administration to proceed so the work is complete before student arrival.