High humidity causes mold at Scranton elementary school

Sarah Hofius Hall, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·1 min read

Jul. 15—High humidity levels have caused mold growth at Neil Armstrong Elementary School, the Scranton School District announced Wednesday.

The school, with a long-troubled heating, ventilation and air conditioning system slated for replacement, will be closed for likely the next month, according to a press release from Superintendent Melissa McTiernan.

The growth, which is limited to carpeted areas in the main hallways, is being addressed by district contractors, and efforts to clean the mold and restore the area are being overseen by Cocciardi and Associates.

The district will restrict occupancy of the school during remediation. A "comprehensive clearance assessment with air sampling" will be conducted prior to the school reopening, McTiernan said.

Teachers have long expressed concerns about the malfunctioning HVAC systems at Armstrong, union President Rosemary Boland said. In the past, the district has needed to use industrial fans to dry the carpet, she said.

A new HVAC system is part of the district's comprehensive capital improvement plan.

Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9133; @hofiushallTT on Twitter.