SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Del Sur Elementary School will temporarily relocate to Stone Ranch Elementary after testing showed moderate levels of mold in some areas, according to an update provided by school officials on Tuesday.
The relocation will last about a month, with the first day for Del Sur students at Stone Ranch on Monday, Aug. 24. The relocation is scheduled from Monday, Aug. 24, to Friday, Sept. 18, with an estimated return to Del Sur on Monday, Sept. 21.
This comes one day after Poway Unified School District said students might return to class this Thursday if "results confirm remediation has been successfully completed." However, the post-remediation results showed lingering mold concerns.
According to the update, rooms 124, 126, 133, and 147; the Multi-Purpose Room; and the first-floor hallway showed a moderate probability of mold spores originating from inside, while the majority of areas were deemed acceptable following remediation.
“They told us that there's not a lot of activities and summer programs happening at the school because they were going to fix the issue, but it turns out that they actually didn't do that," said Sabrina Uppal, a parent and substitute teacher at Del Sur Elementary, in a previous interview with ABC 10News.
The school says they will continue remediation and moisture-control equipment while additional work, investigation and evaluation takes place.
"Although most of the areas tested at Del Sur are now in the acceptable range, we do not want to approach the remaining concerns with another temporary solution. Temporarily relocating the school gives us the time and full access to the campus needed to continue investigating the broader moisture and humidity conditions, complete additional corrective work, and pursue a more permanent solution without repeatedly disrupting students and staff," the update stated.
The school district outlined what will happen during the relocation period:
- Environmental and moisture-control equipment will continue operating at Del Sur.
- The District will work with architects, mechanical engineers, HVAC technicians, environmental professionals, and other specialists to further investigate the source of the elevated moisture conditions, identify the root cause of the ongoing issues, and determine appropriate long-term corrective measures.
- Environmental testing and monitoring will continue as the work progresses.
"We recognize that temporarily relocating an entire school creates significant logistical questions for families and staff. We are finalizing those details now, including arrival and dismissal, ESS, preschool, classroom assignments, meals, and other day-to-day operations. We will share that information as soon as it is finalized and will continue providing regular updates throughout the temporary relocation," the district said.
There is a scheduled family information session at the Del Norte High School Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 6:30 p.m.
District officials said, “The session will provide an opportunity to share more information about the remediation work, environmental testing and results, the decision to temporarily relocate, and our plans for addressing the remaining concerns at Del Sur. We will also provide additional information about the start of the school year for Del Sur students at Stone Ranch Elementary and answer questions from families. We will record the session and make it available online for families who are unable to attend.”
A Poway Unified official told ABC 10News that media will not be allowed into the session because it is intended for families to ask questions and express concerns.
Media also will not have access to Del Norte High during the meeting because students will be on campus for activities and programs.
