Madison County begins remediation after mold found at high school

Madison County School District officials said they discovered microbial growth at Madison County High School in early July and have started contractor-led remediation after testing identified Aspergillus species in carpeted areas. District Superintendent Dr. Pickles told the board the initial report arrived July 8 and that industrial hygienist Michael Evans conducted an inspection July 11, collected air and surface samples, and recommended immediate containment and cleanup. Evans said lab results received July 16 identified Aspergillus and that remediation focused first on carpeted zones; he said affected areas require HEPA air-scrubbing, HEPA vacuuming and surface cleaning and that post-remediation verification sampling is scheduled to begin Wednesday. Ken Kinsworthy, director of the Florida School Boards Insurance Trust, told the board the district is self-insured for such cleanup costs up to a $100,000 deductible and that reinsurance (Ascot) becomes involved above that level. Kinsworthy gave the board a working estimate of about $425,000 for the event that includes industrial-hygienist oversight, rental equipment, and contractor costs and said the reinsurance carrier requires prior approval of proposed work plans, bids and contracts before certain costs will count toward coverage. Facilities manager Michael Rutherford described HVAC and chiller complications that complicated response timing: a needed Trane chiller originally on order was delayed, an older chiller failed, and staff located and rented a compatible 200-ton unit from Charlotte. Rutherford said the permanent chillers are scheduled to ship Aug. 10 and that it will take several days to install and commission them; temporary chillers and dehumidification equipment are operating while remediation continues. Board members and the superintendent acknowledged frustration with public communication about the incident. Several trustees urged the district to improve direct outreach to parents and staff — including an item the board asked be considered later, hiring a public-relations role or using the superintendent as official district spokesperson — after multiple parents raised concerns about how information reached them. District leaders said most non-carpeted spaces, including the gym, tested with no elevated mold concentrations. Evans said measures already taken include isolating affected rooms, running HEPA filtration and dehumidification, wiping and HEPA vacuuming band instruments, and limiting building access; he recommended at-minimum respirator use for personnel entering containment zones. Superintendent Pickles said contractors began work the weekend after samples were taken and that she and the district have been coordinating with the Florida Department of Education and the local health department. No formal board action was required or taken on remediation during the meeting. Remediation and insurance approvals remain in progress, and the district said it will run verification sampling after contractor work is complete before students and staff fully reoccupy impacted spaces.