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Parent asks Oconee Board for independent mold testing at Oconee County Elementary School
Summary
A parent told the board of alleged mold in Oconee County Elementary School gyms and classrooms and presented a petition signed by 74 people asking for independent professional testing before flooring work continues. District staff said preliminary humidity and slab moisture tests did not show mold.
A parent told the Oconee Board of Education that parents and teachers remain concerned about possible mold at Oconee County Elementary School (OCES) and asked the district to conduct independent professional mold testing before replacing flooring.
Mandy Moriera, a parent of students at Oconee County Elementary School and Oconee County Middle School, told the board that “dozens of parents were notified of potential mold in the gym floor and the outside pod, third grade, where my child is,” and said teachers had reported illness and provided photographs showing what they believe to be mold. Moriera said a petition authored by another parent had been signed by 74 parents and community members asking for independent testing prior to any construction or floor replacement.
Why this matters: Parents said they fear that replacing flooring without confirming and, if necessary, remediating an underlying mold issue could leave students and staff vulnerable to ongoing health risks. The petitioner requested transparency, professional testing and remediation if required.
What the record shows: Moriera said she had contact with district staff. She reported that Mr. Ryan White told her the district’s process included two tests — an HVAC-based humidity test and a concrete slab moisture test — and that those district tests found no mold. Moriera said parents were not satisfied with those results and asked for independent, third-party testing before the district proceeds with floor replacement. She also said a classroom carpet replacement two years earlier had been linked to contractor residue, and that previous concerns about mold had arisen at other district schools in earlier years.
Board policies and response: Mr. Colquitt read district policies BCBI and BCBIR aloud earlier in the meeting, noting that only Oconee County residents and employees may speak and outlining the three-minute public-comment limit; Moriera spoke during public comments and the board did not provide an on-the-record response before time expired.
What was not decided: The board did not vote on testing or remediation at this meeting. Moriera asked for independent testing and for the district to share results with staff and families. The transcript does not record a commitment from the board or staff to commission outside testing during the meeting.
Next steps listed by the speaker: Parents requested independent professional mold testing prior to floor replacement, transparency on results and remediation steps if testing indicates contamination.
