District looks for solution as mold closes local school until further notice

Mold at Quaboag Regional Middle/High School is continuing to cause issues, with the school shut down until further notice as the district looks for a solution.

The district planned to open the school today, with double sessions to make up for a lost week, but more mold put that solution on hold.

"We were supposed to start September 4, and we are still awaiting that first day for our middle and high school students," Kustigian said.

Kustigian said the problem was discovered in August, with no solution to this point. Sports programs have continued to run at full steam at the school, but classroom activities have yet to start.

"Just how far back this is going to put our students," Melissa Perron, a parent of a 10th grader at the school, said.

Students have other concerns, wondering if there are any health impacts.

"A little scary," Kaitlyn Maskell said. "You wonder how long it's been there, and if it's affecting me in any way."

Clean-up started immediately at the school when the problem was noticed, and school was finally set to open on Tuesday before more bad news struck.

"We got the results at 5 p.m. last night, and had to make a last-second call and revise our plan," Kustigian said.

A meeting was held on Tuesday that was closed to the media, with attendees hoping to find another way to get school started.

Now, the district is looking to use a recently closed school in neighboring Palmer, at least until the mold can be cleaned completely."

"I wouldn't be opposed to it at all," Maskell said. "It'd be something new and change the beginning of the school year."

Tracy Black said Palmer adds 25 minutes for her two teens' commute, but said it may be the only choice.

"If that's the only option, my kids are gonna have to suck it up," Black said.

The district needs permission from Palmer to use the school. If they make the move, they'll likely be there for two to four weeks, and are hopeful to get started there by Monday.

For more information and updates on the mold situation, you can head to the school district's website.

Cox Media Group