HARDYSTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — Hardyston Township’s elementary and middle schools will be closed Tuesday, Sept. 8, after mold was found in several areas of the elementary school, according to Superintendent Jarlyn Veras.
In a letter to the school community, Veras said air quality and mold testing conducted at the elementary school initially found airborne mold spores in two office spaces.
The district then scheduled an extensive remediation of the entire school to ensure the building was safe for students and staff. During that process, mold was discovered in various locations throughout the building, Veras said.
Both the elementary and middle schools will be closed Tuesday to give the district time to plan its next steps.
“Based on the extent of the work that may be required, we anticipate that students and staff may need to remain out of the elementary school building for several weeks,” Veras said.
The district said its administrative team is developing a plan to continue educational programming while minimizing disruptions to families. Additional information about alternate educational arrangements and an anticipated timeline will be provided when available.
The district also shared information from its school physician regarding potential mold exposure. According to the physician, most environmental mold exposures result in mild symptoms similar to seasonal allergies or a mild upper respiratory infection. People with chronic medical conditions, including asthma, severe seasonal allergies or immune deficiencies, may experience more significant symptoms.
Common symptoms can include nasal congestion, sneezing, throat irritation, coughing, skin rash, headache and fatigue.
Students or staff experiencing symptoms or who have other health concerns are advised to contact their health care provider.
“We recognize the disruption and inconvenience this may cause our families. We sincerely appreciate your patience, understanding, and continued partnership as we work to ensure a safe learning environment for our students and staff,” Veras said.
