Pender County Schools is addressing a facility concern in the kindergarten and preschool area at C.F. Pope Elementary School as the school prepares for Open House on Thursday, August 20, and the first day of school on Monday, August 24.
Areas of possible mold-like growth were found in some classrooms in that part of the school. Based on the information available at this time, the growth appears to be a recent condition that developed while the HVAC system was temporarily shut down as part of planned improvements to the school’s heating and air conditioning system.
Other buildings on the C.F. Pope campus were also inspected, and no similar growth was found.
A professional cleaning team has been working at the school to address the affected areas. Carpets in those areas have been removed and sent out for cleaning, and the affected spaces have been hand-cleaned.
An outside third-party company will conduct indoor air quality testing Tuesday, August 18, following the cleaning. Results are expected within 24 hours. The affected classrooms will not be used until the cleaning and testing process is complete and the district has received the results.
C.F. Pope's Open House is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, and the goal is for the event to take place as planned. The district expects to receive the testing results Wednesday and will provide an update once those results are available.
This work is being completed before students return to campus for the first day of school on Monday, August 24.