More mold in second Millbrook school

MILLBROOK— On Thursday, Sept. 6, the first day of school for Millbrook Central School District (MCSD) students, mold was discovered at Alden Place Elementary School. The issue was dealt with immediately, and the students were allowed to return to Alden on Tuesday, Sept. 11. 

On Wednesday, Sept. 14, the industrial hygienist performing swab and air quality testing throughout Elm Drive Elementary School discovered mold. The students were removed, and brought to Village Hall to await transportation home.

The results of the testing, done at a laboratory in Manhattan, were made known on Friday, Sept. 15. 

“Based on this information and the anticipation that the remediation on Elm Drive may take a longer time to complete, we are looking into options for an alternative educational [environment] for our Elm Drive students,” said Superintendent of Schools Philip D’Angelo on Thursday. “We have submitted paperwork with the New York State Educational Department for their review. We hope to have a response from them tomorrow.”

School was canceled for Elm Drive students on Friday. The other schools were not affected. 

“We are committed to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all students and staff members,” D’Angelo said. “Students and staff will not return to Elm Drive until I have been assured that it is safe to do so. I am sorry for any inconvenience, but safety comes first.”

On Friday, Sept. 14. D’Angelo said that the results from the latest testing had come back positive. “We will begin a mold remediation at Elm Drive on Saturday, Sept. 15. This remediation will take approximately six weeks”

There was no school for Elm Drive students on Monday, the 17th. On the 18th, students were asked to report to the Millbrook Middle School,  where eight classrooms were put aside for displaced students. The rooms will house the kindergarten, first and second-graders together and separate from the middle school students.

D’Angelo reported that Monsignor Geraldo Colacicco, of St. Joseph’s parish, had offered the use of St. Joseph’s School, which is closed. “We seriously explored that option, but unfortunately it is not a viable option at this time. We thank the monsignor for the generous offer to help our students.”

The other students, of Alden Place, the Middle School and the High School have regular schedules and will go on as usual.

Parents were invited to the Millbrook Middle School on Monday, Sept. 17, at 6:30 p.m. to tour the area in which the children will take classes. In addition, an update on the expected progress of the remediation project was given.