Concerns over mold contamination have led the Monroe Township (N.J.) School District to close all of its schools for the remainder of this week.
WPVI-TV reports that the schools—one high, one middle and four elementary—will be closed so inspections can be completed. The district has about 6,200 students.
The announcement of the closings comes just hours before an emergency school board meeting is to be held regarding the situation.
The situation began with the discovery of mold inside Holly Glen Elementary School. The district closed that campus last Friday and was preparing to split the student body among the three remaining elementary schools.
In light of the additional school closings, plans to have teachers prepare replacement classrooms have been postponed, and an open house for students and parents at their temporary schools also has been canceled.
Last week, the district closed Holly Glen after a consultant, TTI Environmental Inc., found dangerous mold growing throughout the school on doors, desks, book cases, lockers, ceiling tiles and other areas. The consultant recommended that Holly Glen be closed and thoroughly cleaned.
"Based on the information provided and the results of our visual investigation and sampling, TTI recommends that the school be closed until cleaning and additional evaluation be conducted to insure the safety of the children and staff," the consultant's report stated.
Parents became more alarmed after learning that mold-infested ceiling tiles were being removed Friday at another school, Williamstown Middle School, while students were still in class.
