FARMINGTON — Cleanup efforts are underway to correct a mold issue at Cascade Brook School.
Regional School Unit 9 Superintendent Tina Meserve said mold was discovered by school employees late this summer.
“The custodial staff cleaned the areas where mold was identified,” Meserve said, “and we hired a company to come in to conduct air-quality tests to ensure the environment was safe.”
Tests revealed issues with Aspergillus and Penicillium mold in the physical education office and two storage areas.
Soon as the test results were received, a letter was sent to parents informing them of the situation.
Meserve said a barrier was put in place to seal off the affected area. Atlantic Environmental Contractors of Lewiston has been hired to clean the space and all items stored in the area.
According to Meserve, cleaning began Sept. 6 and could take several weeks.
“They are cleaning everything,” Meserve said. “Every ball, every pair of ski boots. Everything.”
As a precaution, air-quality tests were ordered throughout the school’s five heating and air conditioning zones. Vents on the first and second floor were also tested for mold.
“We are confident the issue is contained in the gym area,” Meserve said, “but felt additional testing was warranted to confirm there are no other problem areas in the school.”
School officials have not yet received results of the latest air-quality tests.
dmenear@thefranklinjournal.com
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