School board orders temporary remote learning for K–2 after consultant finds elevated mold in basement

At a March 4 special meeting, Jefferson Public Schools leaders heard from Jeff Prebble, an indoor air consultant with Turner Building Science, who reported elevated mold spore counts in the basement and recommended closing the old section of the building for remediation.

Prebble told the board that the highest total spore counts were found in the basement, and said stored paper, clothing and other porous materials there provide an ample food source for mold. “There was definitely a concern of moisture and water intrusion into the basement,” Prebble said, describing missing exterior waterproofing and likely absence of vapor barriers under slabs.

The nut of the board discussion centered on immediate containment and how to keep students and staff safe while longer-term structural fixes are priced and planned. Prebble recommended short-term measures including rented dehumidifiers and air-exchange units with HEPA filtration, contracting a mold remediation company to remove contaminated materials, and targeted removal of damaged drywall in bathroom areas. He also described long-term options such as exterior trenching and waterproofing or perimeter drainage and interior sump systems.

Administrators said the old wing should be cleared of nonessential stored items and sealed off while work proceeds. “Anything in these rooms currently and anything in the basement currently that is not vital to the building needs to come out and be disposed of,” Prebble said, urging removal of paper and porous classroom materials.

Because of the contamination and the work that will be required, the board moved to implement a temporary remote-learning plan for kindergarten through second grade and Title I students beginning March 5. A board member made the motion and it was seconded; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally.

School staff scheduled a briefing for employees the next morning to explain logistics and inventory personal classroom items. Administrators said they will ask teachers in the affected wing to index their personal items to determine what can be saved and what must be discarded, and will brief families with an immediate notification.

Board members and staff also discussed financing options. Administrators said an abatement contractor will visit to provide cost estimates and that they will consult auditors and banks about emergency financing; they discussed calling a special town meeting if a bond vote is needed for permanent structural repairs. One board member asked about public bidding statutes for emergency contracts; staff said they would check existing procurement rules for expedited approaches.

Next steps recorded at the meeting include staff contacting an abatement contractor for pricing, issuing a family/teacher notification, holding a staff meeting the following morning, and starting work to isolate and remediate the old wing. The board adjourned after directing staff to move quickly on estimates and communications.

For immediate health questions, the board said it will continue to conduct air-quality testing during and after remediation and to consult legal counsel and insurers about property and cleanup coverage.