Virginia district relocates classrooms after elevated mold spores detected

Washington County Public Schools is conducting additional air-quality testing at Rhea Valley Elementary after elevated Aspergillus/Penicillium spores were found in a pre-K classroom.
Sept. 30, 2026
2 min read
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Key Highlights

  • Mold and airborne spores were found in a pre-K classroom at Rhea Valley Elementary, prompting immediate relocation of students and staff.
  • The affected classroom has its own air-handling system, reducing the risk of mold spread to other parts of the school.
  • The district is conducting further testing in other areas and bringing in professional cleaners to remove mold and allergens.
  • Virginia law requires schools to test for and remediate mold issues, emphasizing moisture control and regular inspections.
Courtesy of Eakrin Rasadonyindee | Getty Images
Water drop leak on air conditioner grille is ceiling stain and cracked and mold

Washington County Public Schools in Virginia has relocated students and staff from two classrooms at Rhea Valley Elementary School after environmental testing found mold and elevated levels of airborne spores in a pre-K classroom. A visual inspection and air sampling were conducted on Sept. 25 after concerns were raised in the classroom, according to local reporting from WJHL. Environmental professionals found evidence of mold, while air samples showed elevated levels of Aspergillus/Penicillium spores, but testing didn’t detect Stachybotrys, commonly known as black mold.

Why this matters

The incident highlights the operational steps districts may need to take when indoor air-quality testing identifies a potential mold problem, including:

  • Isolate affected spaces
  • Determine whether HVAC systems could spread contaminants
  • Expand testing when warranted
  • Bring in qualified remediation contractors
  • Verify conditions before returning classrooms to normal use

Virginia law has required local school boards since July 2021 to develop and implement plans to test public school buildings for mold and, if necessary, remediate problems in accordance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidance. The Virginia Department of Health's school mold reporting guidance also recommends moisture control, regular building and HVAC inspections, prompt attention to leaks and condensation, and professional expertise when mold testing or remediation is necessary.

Students and staff from the affected classroom were moved to another part of the school, and the district also relocated an adjacent classroom as a precaution while additional testing was conducted.

Washington County officials said the affected room has its own air-handling system, meaning air from the classroom is not circulated through the remainder of the building. Crossroads Environmental Services, which conducted the initial assessment, indicated that the problem appeared to be isolated to that classroom.

The district subsequently arranged for inspections and air-quality testing in other areas of the school. WCPS said those results were expected to be released on Sept. 30, but as of publication, no additional results had been publicly posted.

A third-party professional cleaning contractor is also being brought in to remove the mold, settled dust, and potential allergens from the affected space.

Rhea Valley Elementary is a pre-K–5 school in Meadowview, Virginia. According to the Virginia School Quality Profile for Rhea Valley Elementary, the school enrolled 404 students during the 2024–25 school year.

This piece was created with the help of generative AI tools and edited by our content team for clarity and accuracy.
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