The Nobleboro Central School has closed part of its building after discovering mold.
In a letter to NCS families on Thursday, March 5, Principal Tom Landberg and AOS 93 Superintendent Todd Sanders said the original section of the building will be closed for the rest of the school year.
“As you may be aware, we have been monitoring the building air quality this school year due to elevated levels of carbon dioxide, and just recently, we have also tested all areas for mold,” Landberg and Sanders said in the letter. “In doing so, we have now discovered that the original section of the building has elevated levels of mold.”
The section of the building affected by mold, which includes the classrooms for kindergarten through second grade, the Title 1 literacy program, special services, guidance, the nurse’s office, and the school’s main office, would remain closed until a “full remediation, removal of problematic items/fixtures, and cleaning of the area is completed,” according to the letter. In addition, the installation of “moisture-preventing measures” is necessary.
NCS students had a remote learning day on Friday, March 6 for school officials to reconfigure the building layout. Remote learning was extended through Monday, March 9 as building contractors ensured classrooms, learning spaces, and common areas were ready for students to return.
The main office and the nurse’s office were relocated to the library, and one of the building’s wings was restructured to house kindergarten through second grade, in addition to third grade, Landberg and Sanders said in a letter sent Friday, March 6. The Title 1 literacy program, a special services classroom, social work services, and speech services have been relocated to the former music room, stage, and practice area. The guidance office, art, and music will be housed in the art room. Fourth grade has been moved to the hallway that contains grades five and six.
The biggest change is the relocation of seventh and eighth grade to the Kieve campus in Nobleboro. Students will continue to arrive at NCS at 7:50 a.m. and will be transported to Kieve in the morning. The students will return to NCS in the afternoon to participate in special classes such as art, music, physical education, social emotional learning, library, and technology.
NCS returned to in-person learning on Tuesday, March 10.
Landberg and Sanders said the Facilities Director John Carroll outside contractors to routinely test air quality and develop a plan for the original part of the building.
For more information, call Nobleboro Central School at 223-3437 or go to aos93.org/o/ncs.
