ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. — New details arose Wednesday night about mold at two Alamance-Burlington elementary schools.
District officials approved a contract to start mold removal at Newlin Elementary. This is the second elementary school impacted by mold issues.
The district said the non-toxic mold found in Andrews and Newlin Elementary was caused by their fresh air system being out of sync with the chiller. A district official explained how the balance of fresh and cool air was off, enabling mold to grow.
Newlin Elementary mold removal is expected to start Thursday. Once crews start working, the district expects to have a better idea of when the school will be able to open.
"We do have a contingency plan both for staff and students and we will give them the support they need as we navigate through the mediation to make sure they are prepared in their classrooms," ABSS Board Chair Sandy Ellington-Graves said.
The district said they are finalizing mold removal in Andrews Elementary. Thursday, they are expecting an inspection report that could give them the green light for teachers to move into the school by the end of the week.
The district said when all this work is done and repairs made, it will cost more than one million dollars. Because of that price tag, the district put a pause on some other planned building improvements.
A spokesperson for the district said they plan to check all buildings for mold.