Frequently Asked Questions - Mold Cleaning & Testing Project

We first learned of the situation on Wednesday morning, Aug. 16, when a teacher alerted Principal Terry Young to the possibility of mold in an area of the school. Our facilities team engaged that day with Environmental Safety and Hygiene Associates. They completed both visual observations and airborne tests for mold. We received the results Friday, Aug. 18. Those tests confirmed the presence of mold in 16 classrooms (which form four pods) and two offices. In an abundance of caution, we asked for Environmental Safety and Hygiene Associates to complete a review of the entire building, including the community spaces. This took place on Aug. 22 and resulted in mold being identified in other parts of the building, including the administrative suite. 

The mold found is Aspergillus, a mold that the federal Centers for Disease Control says commonly exists both indoors and outdoors and that doesn’t make most people sick. However, it can put people with weakened immune systems or lung diseases at a higher risk of developing health problems.

The mold issue in Talbot is the result of unusually high humidity levels in the building. It has been a particularly wet summer, which was a factor increasing humidity levels and creating more mold issues than usual. Buildings in other cities and school districts have also been affected by this challenge. The humidity levels in Talbot were likely made worse by a combination of factors related to settings on the air conditioning and ventilation system, carpet cleaning, and minor roof leaks. 

Two companies that specialize in mold remediation were subcontracted by Environmental Safety and Hygiene Associates to clean the affected spaces. They arrived at the building on Monday, Aug. 21 and began work on Tuesday, Aug. 22. They have worked continuously since that time and have made good progress. However, prior to any space being cleared for use, it must pass a test that is conducted off-site by a specialized environmental lab. Unfortunately, some rooms failed the test during the week of Aug. 28 and must be cleaned again and re-tested. 

To mitigate potential on-going challenges with mold, we collaborated with the City of Portland to adjust settings on the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system to reduce humidity levels. We are also working with our custodians to adjust our cleaning procedures in order to minimize the potential for moisture building up in the school’s carpets. We are also fixing small roof leaks that have been identified during the cleaning process and which may have contributed to the problem. 

Both companies use Shock Wave by Fiberlock Technologies. Shockwave is an EPA-registered disinfectant, sanitizer and cleaner designed for use on various surfaces subject to microbial contamination, ideal for flooding and mold remediation.

To ensure that there is sufficient time for cleaning and testing, we have postponed the first day of school for all students (pre-k, K, and 1-5) to Friday, September 8. 

We will seek guidance on this from the Maine Department of Education and will inform families as soon as we have a response. 

Teachers’ return to the school building is currently slated for Thursday, September 7. In the interim, teachers are participating in professional development off-site. 

We currently expect staff to be able to occupy the building as of September 7 and for students to return on September 8. However, we are also identifying alternative locations where our students and staff to start the school year, if necessary. While this would not be our desired outcome, we have to be sure that we have back-up plans ready in case things do not go as planned. If such a shift is required, we will inform families as soon as we know.

Students and staff will only be allowed into the building once we have received test results that clear each of the spaces they will occupy. If a cleaned area fails a test, it must be re-cleaned and re-tested. The building will be tested again later in the fall to confirm that it continues to remain safe. 

Yes. Families may pick up bagged breakfast and lunch for their children outside the school on both Wednesday, September 6 and Thursday, September 7 any time between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. 

The popsicle party will now take place on September 14 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Most of the school will be accessible when students return to school, but we will not be able to use the gym immediately. The cleaning and testing process in that space is currently expected to be complete early in the week of September 11. The gym will be sealed in accordance with health and safety standards while work continues inside. 

We do not know yet when all of these facilities will be accessible to the public, but we will work closely with the City of Portland to determine when all spaces have been cleared for use and to communicate that out to the community. 

Please contact Principal Young at youngt@portlandschools.org or Sarah Warren, Executive Director for Operations at warres@portlandschools.org.