Methuen committee hears renewed sanitation, ventilation and mold concerns; DPH testing and contractor cleanups underway

The Methuen School Committee on Jan. 13 heard repeated public and staff reports about pest infestations, visible water damage and possible mold, and nonfunctioning ventilation systems at several elementary schools, with the district saying it has begun outside testing and deep-cleaning while planning longer-term repairs.

Parents, teachers and the Citizens’ Parent Advisory Committee pointed to facility problems at the Marsh, Tenney and Timoney schools and asked for clear timelines. Nicole Pereira, president of the Methuen CPAC, urged the committee to post the state visual inspection and indoor air-quality findings and asked how the district will implement recommendations such as repairing unit ventilators, addressing areas of visible water damage and adopting a vacuuming schedule that uses HEPA filters.

Why it matters: Parents and school staff said facility problems are affecting learning conditions, and speakers called on the committee, mayor and city council for funding and clearer plans. The committee and administration described several immediate actions taken to limit risk and to create transparency for families.

What the district has done so far -…