Parents and educators press Fall River schools for clearer timelines after mold and water-damage reports

At the Dec. 8 Fall River School Committee meeting, parents and educators pressed district leaders for faster, clearer action after environmental testing and an in-school flooding incident raised fresh concerns about indoor air quality and building maintenance.

Keith Michaud, president of the Fall River Educators Association, told the committee “On Friday, mold was reported in two of our buildings,” and said he was “encouraged that we continue to work collaboratively to address what we will.”

A parent who submitted written input about LeTourneau Elementary told the committee that testing funded by the Massachusetts Teachers Association found mold, moisture-related contaminants and endotoxins “present throughout the school,” and asked whether certified specialists would perform a deep cleaning and when families would be told a timeline for remediation. “To a parent, slightly elevated is not reassuring. It is alarming,” the parent wrote.

Sarah Cavallo, who said her granddaughter attends Westall School, criticized the district’s communications and asked directly whether there is a deadline for fixing mold problems. “I hope something is being done about the mold because I am part of Westall PTO,” she said during public comment, adding that she planned to follow up at her child’s school.

Superintendent Dr. Tracy Curley responded in the superintendent’s report with timeline details about an unrelated but similar facilities incident at Durfee High School: staff discovered on Dec. 1 that three first-floor offices had flooded after a valve failed in a custodial closet. Curley said crews completed abatement — removing carpeting, cutting sheetrock, replacing ceiling tiles and ductwork — and began restoration Dec. 8. She said painting was planned to begin Dec. 15 and flooring would be the final step, with completion expected within "the next week or two," subject to material and labor availability.

On cleaning and testing protocols, the district said surface and air sampling had been conducted and that testing would be repeated before reclaimed spaces are re-occupied. The administration acknowledged some confusion in public messaging and said custodial staff had carried out a deep cleaning over a recent weekend to address urgent areas.

Union and volunteer educator representatives said they had proposed a memorandum of agreement to formalize monitoring, communication and long-term improvement protocols. The FREA health and safety committee commended custodial and maintenance staff for weekend deep-cleaning work and said it had drafted an MOA to strengthen joint efforts with the district.

Committee members asked for more specifics: precise remediation deadlines, whether certified remediation firms will be employed, and whether affected families and staff would receive direct notices. The superintendent and facilities staff said their approach included testing, abatement when needed, and follow-up testing before re‑occupancy; they also said work had been prioritized to avoid classroom disruption.

What’s next: The district will continue testing after restoration work is completed, the superintendent said, and committee members requested a clear public timeline and the use of certified remediation vendors where appropriate. Parents and union leaders insist on a published schedule and direct messaging to families once the district sets remediation milestones.

Sources: Public comments and submitted citizen input at the Dec. 8 School Committee meeting; superintendent’s report to the committee.