Dear Parents/Guardians:
This letter is to inform you that Wingdale Elementary School will be closed for all students, faculty and staff on Monday, September 17th due to an air quality issue in a number of classrooms in our elementary schools. The Before and After School Program at Wingdale Elementary School will also be closed on Monday. Dover Elementary School will remain open because we were able to seal off the affected areas.
Given the news that several other schools in our area have mold caused by recent unseasonably high temperatures and humidity, I requested that our Director of Buildings and Grounds arrange for a mold inspection at our elementary buildings. Working in coordination with Dutchess County BOCES Safety and Risk Coordinator, Brian Colandrea, the inspection took place on Friday afternoon. Mr. Colandrea found evidence of mold under a number of desks, tables and other furniture, such as bookcases. Air samples were taken as part of the inspection, and those results should be back to us by Tuesday. These tests results will indicate the types of mold and help identify the necessary steps for remediation.
The inspection denoted two areas of concern:
- Dover Elementary School: The bottom floor right-side of Dover Elementary has two classrooms and a store room where mold was evident.
- Wingdale Elementary School: Some evidence of mold was discovered in the classrooms leading to the playground. The rooms closest to the playground exit had more visible mold and mold evidence decreased toward the dining hall.
As of now, the following steps have been taken:
- Hallways and rooms at DES and WES where mold was found will be sealed off, and classes will be held in other parts of the building.
- Each classroom was treated with an environmentally-approved moldicide.
- Dehumidifiers and air scrubbers are being used in all affected areas.
- All classroom furniture and any item that may retain mold will be thoroughly cleaned.
- Repeated air quality testing will be conducted to assure the rooms are safe.
- A mold abatement specialist will be hired to oversee the remediation work.
- On Monday night, the Board of Education will hold an emergency meeting to vote on a resolution to allow the District to bypass the bidding process so we can respond to this issue as quickly as possible.
Below are links with information about mold from the Environmental Protection Agency. I will do my best to keep everyone informed and keep all our students safe.
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/facplan/Newsletter/Newsletter_37.html
https://www.epa.gov/mold/ten-things-you-should-know-about-mold
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-08/documents/moldremediation.pdf
Respectfully,
Michael Tierney
Superintendent of Schools
DUFSD
845-877-5700 ex 1283
