Frequently Asked Questions

Evening Update - Friday, August 28

Progress Made:

• Additional portable classrooms arrived at Stone Ranch as planned. Electrical crews are now running wiring through the conduit to provide power to the new buildings as installation work continues.

Next Steps:

• As operations at Stone Ranch continue to stabilize and the work at Del Sur moves into a longer-term evaluation phase, this will be our final scheduled daily Evening Update. Going forward, we will provide updates when there is meaningful new information to share, including developments related to the root-cause analysis, environmental testing, corrective work, and more.
• You can expect to hear from us at the end of next week with an update on the anticipated return to Del Sur; we’ll communicate sooner if we have meaningful information before that.
• We are also working closely with Principal Ganesan, and families may receive relevant updates directly from the school as information relates to day-to-day operations at Stone Ranch.

 

Evening Update - Thursday, August 27

Progress made:

• We’re excited to share that delivery of the new portable classrooms is underway! Three classrooms were successfully delivered between last night and this morning.

 

Next steps:

Delivery will continue over the next several days:

• Tonight: One additional classroom is scheduled to arrive.
• Tomorrow morning: One additional classroom is scheduled to arrive.
• Monday, August 31: The remaining two classrooms are currently scheduled for morning delivery.

 

We appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility as deliveries continue and the new classrooms begin to take shape on campus.

Evening Update - Wednesday, August 26

Progress made:

• A multidisciplinary team walked the Del Sur campus as part of the root-cause analysis. The group included District staff, mechanical engineers, architects, system software engineers, and other specialists to evaluate building systems, moisture and humidity conditions, and investigate potential contributing factors.
• The fencing and asphalt installation for the portable classrooms at Stone Ranch is complete. We are happy to share that the delivery and installation of the portables is anticipated to begin this evening, earlier than originally projected.
• The link is now available for the family information session. 

Next steps:

• Additional information will be provided to staff regarding the upcoming Del Sur carpet removal, including timelines, access to classrooms and workspaces, and any potential impacts on personal and instructional belongings.
• We will continue providing responses to questions submitted during the Family Information Session. Many have since been addressed through recent updates and the FAQ, but additional responses are still being prepared. Once we have final assessments and substantial information from the root cause analysis we will hold the follow-up family information session.

Evening Update - Tuesday, August 25

A special thank you to the Stone Ranch Elementary Staff and Foundation, who collaborated to help make the first days at Stone Ranch feel welcoming by providing breakfast and lunch, and assembling classroom supply kits. We also appreciate Assemblymember Dr. Darshana Patel’s team as well as volunteers from the Kiwanis for being present to support students, staff, and families and help provide a warm welcome.

And a special thank you to Principal Teri Heard and the Stone Ranch team for their leadership, flexibility, and partnership in welcoming the Del Sur community.

Progress made:

• Moisture-control equipment continues to operate at Del Sur as monitoring and evaluation work continues.

Next steps:

• The decision was made to replace all carpet throughout the school with tile.
• Tomorrow, August 26, a multidisciplinary team will walk the Del Sur campus as part of the root-cause analysis. The group will include District staff, mechanical engineers, architects, system software engineers, and other specialists working together to evaluate building systems, moisture and humidity conditions, and potential contributing factors.
• Portable classroom buildings are on their way to Stone Ranch to provide additional space and support for our school communities. Beginning this afternoon, Facilities Design and Construction will cone off a portion of the lower parking lot. Temporary fencing and asphalt preparation will begin Wednesday, with the portable buildings expected to arrive later this week. Because of transportation and curfew restrictions, delivery will occur during the early morning hours.

 

Evening Update - Monday, August 24

Today was a great first day of school for Del Sur!

• While there are still a few details to fine-tune as everyone settles into the temporary campus, today was a very positive start for students and staff.
• Additional portable classrooms are being brought in to further support the Del Sur program during the temporary relocation. We expect these portable classrooms to arrive by September 8, 2026. The following classes will be assigned to the portables: Campos, J. Richards, Schofield, Lovoda, A. Richards, and Miller. Principal Ganesan will provide more detailed updates to these classes as soon as the details have been finalized. 

Work at Del Sur continues:

• Facilities, Maintenance & Operations met today to continue planning the next phase of the root-cause analysis at Del Sur. This work is focused on moving beyond short-term remediation and understanding the conditions that allowed the moisture and humidity concerns to develop in the first place, so a permanent fix can be implemented.
• The District and its professional contractors are developing a more comprehensive evaluation of the campus, including potential contributing factors such as indoor humidity and moisture levels, HVAC operation and humidity control, mechanical systems and equipment, possible water intrusion, and whether materials adequately dried following summer carpet cleaning or other maintenance activities.
• The goal is not another temporary fix. The District is working to identify the underlying cause or combination of causes, determine what corrective work is needed to address those conditions over the long term, and establish how the effectiveness of that work will be verified. These findings will inform the corrective action plan and the conditions that must be met before students and staff return to Del Sur.

We will continue to provide updates as that work progresses.

 

Evening Update - Sunday, August 23

Progress made:

• A huge thank you to our Educational Technology and Technology Support Services teams for helping prepare classrooms, devices, systems, and instructional spaces for tomorrow.
• Special thanks to Teri Heard, Principal of Stone Ranch Elementary, for her leadership, partnership, and support in welcoming the Del Sur community.

 

We are excited to welcome your students to their first day of school tomorrow at Stone Ranch Elementary.

 

In keeping with our commitment to provide families with environmental testing information as it becomes available, we are sharing the following documents:

1. Del Sur Environmental Testing Results, Historical Context and Next Steps
2. Del Sur Elementary School-Preliminary Air Sample Results Synopsis August 2026
3. DSES Room-by-Room Summary August 2026

 

These documents provide additional detail about the testing results, historical context, and the work that will continue while students are temporarily located at Stone Ranch. These documents are also publicly posted on this page.

 

Evening Update - Saturday, August 22, 2026

Progress made: 

• Del Sur staff were joined and supported by Elementary Principals from across the district at Stone Ranch to continue to prepare for the opening day of school.
• Staff from Facilities Maintenance & Operations, Planning, Construction, Custodial, Purchasing, Warehouse, and Nutrition Services were also providing logistical support.

The work to understand why the moisture and mold conditions developed is still underway. The District and its professional contractors are continuing to investigate possible contributing factors, including (but not limited to):

• Indoor humidity and moisture levels;
• HVAC operation and humidity control;
• Mechanical systems and equipment;
• Carpet cleaning and whether materials adequately dried afterward;
• Possible water intrusion through the building envelope;
• Plumbing leaks or broken pipes;
• Moisture beneath carpet, in walls, or in other building materials; and
• Other conditions that could have introduced or retained moisture.

At this point, we have not confirmed a single root cause. It is also possible that more than one factor contributed. We will continue that investigation until we understand what occurred and what corrective actions are necessary to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

Tomorrow, Sunday, August 23, we will be providing the Industrial Hygienist’s reports. These are the results from the testing completed on Sunday, August 9, which informed the District's decision to delay the start of the school year. Also included are the results from the testing completed on August 12 and 16, which informed the District’s decision to relocate Del Sur students and staff.

What testing results will the District share with families tomorrow?

Tomorrow we will share the written reports from the environmental testing that informed the District's decision to delay the start of school and temporarily relocate Del Sur students and staff.

Because the preliminary laboratory data require professional interpretation, the District will publicly share the results once the updated reports, cover sheet, and Industrial Hygienist’s assessment are complete. The anticipated publication date is tomorrow, Sunday, August 22.

Will the final reports identify the types of mold that were detected?

Yes. The laboratory testing identifies categories of airborne mold spores. Our preliminary information indicates the primary types of mold identified in the affected rooms were Penicillium/Aspergillus-type and Cladosporium spores. 

How is the District deciding whether Del Sur can be reoccupied?

There is no single government mold-spore number that automatically determines whether a school or classroom can be occupied.

The District is relying on independent professional evaluation that considers laboratory results together with visual observations, moisture conditions, mold odor, building materials, the source of moisture and the remediation work that has been completed.

Affected areas will not return to normal use until the necessary work is complete and the industrial hygienist has evaluated the conditions and provided an appropriate recommendation regarding re-occupancy.

Is there a legal mold limit for classrooms?

No. EPA and California public-health guidance do not establish a numerical airborne-mold exposure limit for schools.

Instead, guidance focuses on identifying and correcting moisture problems, addressing visible mold and affected materials, eliminating persistent mold odor, drying materials and verifying that corrective work has been effective.

What can the testing tell us about past exposure?

Environmental air samples provide information about conditions during the time the samples were collected.

They do not reconstruct what was present in a classroom on every earlier date, calculate an individual person's cumulative exposure, or determine whether a specific person experienced a health effect.

What health effects can mold and dampness cause?

CDC/NIOSH identifies associations between damp indoor environments and respiratory symptoms, development or worsening of asthma, respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, eczema and, more rarely, hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

Many people may experience no symptoms, while individuals with asthma, allergies or other sensitivities may be more susceptible. A laboratory spore count cannot predict an individual health outcome.

What should I do if my student or I have symptoms?

Consult your healthcare provider for medical advice. Employees should report workplace concerns to their supervisor. 

Why was Del Sur relocated?

The decision to relocate was made because the environmental testing showed that additional remediation and evaluation were necessary and that the problem had not been fully resolved.

Tomorrow's finalized reports are the reports associated with that decision. They will provide families and staff with the updated testing information and professional interpretation that informed the relocation.

Why didn't the first round of remediation solve the problem?

The initial remediation addressed conditions that had been identified at that point. The subsequent environmental testing showed that additional work was necessary.

That is why the District did not treat completion of the first round of cleaning/remediation as the end of the process. The testing prompted the decision to relocate students and staff while additional remediation and investigation continued.

What happens before students and staff return to Del Sur?

Before affected areas return to normal use, the underlying moisture conditions must be sufficiently understood and addressed, affected materials must be appropriately cleaned, removed or repaired, the space must be dry and free of unresolved visible mold or mold odor, and the industrial hygienist must evaluate the completed work.

The District will use the professional assessment and any required follow-up testing to determine when the campus is appropriate for re-occupancy.

Will there be additional testing?

Yes. Additional testing and monitoring will be conducted as appropriate following remediation and as recommended by the industrial hygienist.

That information will be part of the District's determination about when affected areas can return to normal use and how conditions should be monitored afterward.

 

Evening Update - Friday, August 21, 2026

Progress Made

• Del Sur teachers and staff began setting up their instructional spaces at Stone Ranch today.
• Where needed, surplus furniture was delivered from other school sites to prepare classrooms. No furniture was moved from Del Sur.
• Classroom sets of instructional materials were delivered from the District’s central bookroom, providing teachers with the core resources they need to begin the school year.
• Campus security has been assigned to the Boys & Girls Club location. Please know that the building is secure, and visitors must be buzzed in. Parents will continue to check students in and out through the main office. Students assigned to these classrooms will still eat lunch and have recess with their grade-level peers at Stone Ranch. These classes will still do arrival and pick-up on the blacktop at Stone Ranch. Teachers will take them to and from the Boys and Girls Club.
• Dismissal and ESS - After school procedures

 

Next Steps

• A custodial crew will be at Stone Ranch tomorrow to complete final preparations and ensure classrooms and shared spaces are ready for students on Monday.

• Del Sur and Stone Ranch teachers and staff are ready and excited to welcome students to campus.

 

We know this has been an unusual path to the first day of school, and we appreciate the flexibility and patience of our families and staff. We are looking forward to welcoming Del Sur students to Stone Ranch on Monday and getting the school year underway.

Evening Update - Thursday, August 20, 2026

Progress made:

• District teams continued procuring classroom and instructional supplies needed for the temporary relocation to Stone Ranch Elementary.
• Staff are continuing to prepare instructional spaces and operational support for Monday.

Updates on the transition to Stone Ranch:

• Detailed school schedules, including arrival, dismissal, recess, and lunch information, will be sent to families tomorrow. Additional transition information will be shared as logistics are finalized.

The following questions have also been added on the FAQ page.

• What were the ESS room assignments during the summer of 2026?
• Why haven’t we seen the final reports from the most recent round of independent testing?
• Will the district host another Family Information Night before reopening Del Sur?

 

Evening Update - Wednesday, August 19, 2026

Dear Del Sur Families,

 

Thank you to those of you who were able to attend tonight’s meeting. The recording will be available soon. We also collected several questions which will be reviewed and addressed as information becomes available.

 

One major update after tonight’s meeting is that we will not be moving materials from Del Sur to Stone Ranch. We recognize that most classrooms at Del Sur have returned results in the acceptable range. At the same time, we have heard concerns from members of our community at tonight’s information session about moving materials between campuses. To provide greater confidence in the transition and simplify the move, we will start at Stone Ranch with new instructional and classroom supplies rather than relocating materials from Del Sur.

 

Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership. 

 

Sincerely,

Jennie Ganesan, Principal

Ben Churchill, Superintendent

 

Evening Update - Tuesday, August 18

We received and reviewed the latest post-remediation testing results today. Based on those results and consultation with our independent environmental professionals, we have made an important decision about the start of the school year.

Results Overview

The majority of the areas tested following remediation returned results in the acceptable range. A small number of areas require additional attention:

• Moderate (moderate probability of mold spores originating from indoors): Rooms 124, 126, 133, and 147; the Multi-Purpose Room; and the first-floor hallway.
• In Room 126, the finding was identified above the ceiling tiles.
• Elevated (high probability of mold spores originating from indoors): No areas tested in the elevated range.

Remediation and moisture-control equipment will continue operating on campus while additional work, investigation, and evaluation take place.

Reopening Plan

After reviewing the results with our independent environmental professionals, school and district leadership, and labor partners, we have decided to temporarily relocate the entire Del Sur Elementary School community to Stone Ranch Elementary School for approximately one month.

• First day for Del Sur students at Stone Ranch: Monday, August 24
• Temporary relocation: August 24 through September 18
• Anticipated return to Del Sur: Monday, September 21

Although most of the areas tested at Del Sur are now in the acceptable range, we do not want to approach the remaining concerns with another temporary solution. Temporarily relocating the school gives us the time and full access to the campus needed to continue investigating the broader moisture and humidity conditions, complete additional corrective work, and pursue a more permanent solution without repeatedly disrupting students and staff.

During the relocation period:

• Environmental and moisture-control equipment will continue operating at Del Sur.
• The District will work with architects, mechanical engineers, HVAC technicians, environmental professionals, and other specialists to further investigate the source of the elevated moisture conditions, identify the root cause of the ongoing issues, and determine appropriate long-term corrective measures.
• Environmental testing and monitoring will continue as the work progresses.

We recognize that temporarily relocating an entire school creates significant logistical questions for families and staff. We are finalizing those details now, including arrival and dismissal, ESS, preschool, classroom assignments, meals, and other day-to-day operations. We will share that information as soon as it is finalized and will continue providing regular updates throughout the temporary relocation.

Family Information Session

We will hold our scheduled Family Information Session at the Del Norte High School Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, August 19, at 6:30 p.m.

The session will provide an opportunity to share more information about the remediation work, environmental testing and results, the decision to temporarily relocate, and our plans for addressing the remaining concerns at Del Sur. We will also provide additional information about the start of the school year for Del Sur students at Stone Ranch Elementary and answer questions from families.

We will record the session and make it available online for families who are unable to attend.

We know this is another significant change for Del Sur families, students, and staff. While relocating the school is disruptive, we believe it provides the best path forward: students can begin school while we give the Del Sur campus the time, access, and attention necessary to pursue a lasting solution to the moisture issues. 

Evening Update - Monday, August 17

Crews continued remediation work throughout the Del Sur campus today.

• Remediation work is complete.
• Dehumidifier units which will remain in classrooms have arrived.

What happens next?

Based on the current schedule:

• We expect to receive and review initial testing results tomorrow, Tuesday, August 18. We will use those results, along with the independent industrial hygienist's evaluation, to determine whether the identified issues have been appropriately addressed. Once initial results are received and reviewed, we will share the findings and confirm next steps for reopening.
• If the results confirm that the necessary remediation has been successfully completed, teachers and staff will return on Wednesday, August 19, to prepare classrooms, and school will reopen for students on Thursday, August 20.

Alternate Reopening Plan

The District has developed an alternate reopening plan so we are prepared if the testing results show that some or all areas of the Del Sur campus require additional work. 

Depending on the results, the plan may include temporarily relocating a small number of classrooms, certain grade levels, or the full school to an alternate school site. District teams are working with our labor partners and other departments on the logistics needed to support each scenario.

We will share the specific reopening plan as soon as the testing results are reviewed and a decision is made.

Family Information Session

The session will provide an opportunity to share more information about the remediation work, environmental testing and results, ongoing monitoring, and next steps, as well as answer questions from families.

• Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2026
• Time: 6:30 p.m.
• Location: Del Norte High School - Performing Arts Center

We will record the session and make it available online for families who are unable to attend. We will confirm the date, time, location, and other details once we have reviewed the testing results and can confirm the reopening plan.

Thank you for your continued patience as we complete this work carefully and thoroughly. We will provide another update tomorrow evening.

Updated FAQs

We have added the information above and additional information to the FAQ page. The new questions and answers are both copied here:

Will the complete testing reports be shared, and what is included in the clearance testing?

Yes. We expect to receive an initial evaluation from the independent industrial hygienist on Tuesday, August 18, which will help determine whether the remediated spaces are ready for re-occupancy. The complete testing reports will be made publicly available once they are finalized and provided to the District.

 

The post-remediation clearance process is designed to evaluate both the air and surfaces in the areas that were treated. Testing may include:

• Air sampling: Indoor air is collected and analyzed for airborne mold spores and compared with outdoor control samples.
• Surface sampling: Tape-lift samples are collected from selected surfaces, such as carpet, walls, windowsills, or other areas of concern, to determine whether active mold growth remains.
• Additional material sampling, when appropriate: In some areas, wall-core or other targeted sampling may be used to evaluate conditions that cannot be assessed through air or surface testing alone.
• Visual and environmental evaluation: The industrial hygienist reviews the condition of the space, including moisture and humidity conditions, alongside the laboratory results.

 

The independent industrial hygienist will use these findings to determine whether the identified issues have been appropriately addressed or whether additional remediation or testing is needed before a space returns to normal use.

 

Evening Update - Sunday, August 16

Crews continued remediation work throughout the Del Sur campus today.

• All remaining HVAC and carpet cleaning in common areas was completed this evening, including HEPA vacuuming and wet wiping of hard surfaces.
• The independent industrial hygienist completed post-remediation sampling in the areas where remediation work has been completed.

As remediation and testing continue, we ask that families and community members not enter the campus unless specifically authorized. Del Sur remains an active work site, and unauthorized access can interrupt remediation activities, disturb containment measures or equipment, and potentially delay the work and testing necessary to reopen the campus.

What happens next?

Based on the current schedule:

• Belfor will return tomorrow, Monday, August 17, to monitor dehumidifiers and supplemental air-conditioning equipment and complete any remaining miscellaneous work.
• The independent industrial hygienist will also return Monday to complete post-remediation sampling in the library, Multi-Purpose Room (MPR), and Room 127.
• We expect to receive and review initial testing results on Tuesday, August 18. We will use those results, along with the independent industrial hygienist's evaluation, to determine whether the identified issues have been appropriately addressed. Once initial results are received and reviewed, we will share the findings and confirm next steps for reopening.
• If the results confirm that the necessary remediation has been successfully completed, teachers and staff will return on Wednesday, August 19, to prepare classrooms, and school will reopen for students on Thursday, August 20.
• If the results indicate that additional work is needed, we will communicate that information and any changes to the reopening timeline as soon as possible.

We are also developing an alternate reopening plan so that we are prepared if portions of the campus require additional work. On Monday, we will finalize and share that plan, including options for a partial reopening if the entire campus is not yet ready for occupancy.

Family Information Session

We are planning an in-person family information session before students return to campus, tentatively on Wednesday evening. The session will provide an opportunity to share more information about the remediation work, environmental testing and results, ongoing monitoring, and next steps, as well as answer questions from families.

We will record the session and make it available online for families who are unable to attend. We will confirm the date, time, location, and other details once we have reviewed the testing results and can confirm the reopening plan.

Thank you for your continued patience as we complete this work carefully and thoroughly. We will provide another update tomorrow evening.

 

Evening Update - Saturday, August 15

Crews continued working throughout the campus today. 

• Crews completed HEPA vacuuming and wet wiping in all classrooms. 
• HVAC system cleaning and carpet cleaning were also completed in all classrooms.
• Crews also began work in the library, Multi-Purpose Room (MPR), administrative offices, and staff spaces.

Based on the current schedule:

• Remediation work in the library, Multi-Purpose Room (MPR), and office areas is expected to be completed tomorrow, Sunday, August 16.
• Tomorrow crews will complete final cleaning of the first- and second-floor hallways. This will allow the independent industrial hygienist to begin post-remediation sampling.
• As soon as those results are available and reviewed, we will share the next update and confirm our reopening timeline.

Evening Update - Friday, August 14

Crews continued working throughout the campus today. Based on the current schedule:

• Remediation work in all classrooms is expected to be completed by the end of the day tomorrow, Saturday, August 15.
• Remediation work in the library, Multi-Purpose Room (MPR), and office areas is expected to be completed on Sunday, August 16.

An independent third-party industrial hygienist will conduct comprehensive post-remediation environmental testing on Sunday, August 16. Testing will include air sampling, surface tape-lift sampling, and wall-core sampling and is expected to take the full day.

 

We now expect to receive and review the initial testing results on Tuesday, August 18. We will use those results to determine whether the identified issues have been appropriately addressed and to confirm that the campus is ready for students and staff to return.

 

If the results confirm that the necessary remediation has been successfully completed, teachers and staff will return on Wednesday, August 19, to prepare their classrooms, and school will reopen for students on Thursday, August 20. If additional work is needed, we will communicate that information and an updated timeline as soon as possible.

 

We also plan to hold an in-person family information session before students return to campus, tentatively on Wednesday evening. The session will provide an opportunity to share more information about the remediation, environmental testing and results, ongoing monitoring, and next steps, as well as answer questions from families. We will record the session and make it available online for those unable to attend.

 

We understand the continued disruption and uncertainty this creates for families. We are allowing the time necessary to complete the work thoroughly and receive the independent evaluation before reopening the campus.

 

We will continue to provide an update each evening and have added additional information to the FAQ page. The two new questions and answers are both copied here:

 

Will the district offer an information session for families before students return to campus?

Yes. We are planning to hold an in-person family information session on the evening before students return to school. The session will provide families with an update on the remediation work, environmental testing and results, ongoing monitoring, and next steps, and will provide an opportunity for families to ask questions.

 

We also plan to record the information session and make it available online for families who are unable to attend in person.

 

We will share the date, time, location, presenters, and other details as soon as the school reopening date is confirmed, and will also update this FAQ at that time.

 

Will the missed school days for students be made up?

The District is currently evaluating the instructional calendar and the options available for addressing the days of school missed because of the delayed opening.

 

We do not yet know whether the missed days will need to be made up or whether changes to the school calendar will be necessary. We will communicate with families and staff once that review is complete and we have determined how the missed instructional time will be addressed.

 

 

Evening Update - August 13, 2026

• Belfor Property Restoration began work at 7:00 a.m. today with as many as 40 crew members on campus. 
• Crews brought additional equipment, including air scrubbers and supplemental HVAC equipment, and immediately began treating classroom spaces.

Our plan is to address all campus spaces, with crews prioritizing classrooms and offices first, followed by shared and common areas. Belfor is working double shifts (approximately 16 hours each day) to move through the campus as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

Our current goal is to complete remediation of all spaces throughout the campus by Saturday. We remain on track toward that goal. If that timeline holds, the next steps will be:

• Complete remediation work by Saturday, August 15.
• Conduct post-remediation environmental testing late Saturday night or early Sunday morning by an independent third-party environmental hygienist.
• Receive and review those results Monday evening (August 17) and determine whether the identified issues have been appropriately resolved and confirm next steps for reopening.

One of the most common questions we have received is why the decision to delay the start of school was not made sooner.

Until the District received the independent environmental sampling results on Tuesday, August 11, teams were actively remediating affected spaces and preparing for school to open as scheduled. Based on industry-standard remediation protocols and the information available at the time, the District expected that the work underway would allow the affected classrooms to be cleared for re-occupancy.

The August 11 results showed that additional remediation was needed in more classrooms than previously understood. After reviewing the results and the additional work required, the District determined on August 12 that there was not enough time to complete the necessary remediation and follow-up evaluation responsibly before students returned.

Once that determination was made, the District notified staff and families that the start of school would be delayed.

We have heard the frustration from families about receiving this news so close to the first day of school. We understand the disruption this caused, and we are sorry. We are learning from this experience and will use those lessons to improve how we communicate when conditions are evolving and the potential impact to families is significant.

We have also added new questions to the FAQ page including:

• What is the timeline of events that lead to the first day of school being postponed? When did the district first learn there was mold in these classrooms?
• Why wasn't this communicated to families sooner?

Enter your text here...

July 6 through 13, 2026

• The campus HVAC system was shut down for a planned upgrade performed by an outside contractor.
• During this period, District Facilities, Maintenance & Operations (FM&O) staff also completed preventive maintenance, including coil cleaning, of the HVAC system.

Friday, July 31, 2026

• The Del Sur Elementary School principal reported concerns in Rooms 123 and 124 and submitted work orders to FM&O for follow-up.

Monday, August 3, 2026

• District Facilities, Maintenance & Operations staff responded to the reported concerns and arranged for inspection of the affected areas and replacement of stained ceiling tiles.

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

• An additional mold concern was identified in Room 147.
• The District dispatched ATI Restoration to inspect the affected areas and begin professional antimicrobial treatment in Rooms 123, 124, and 147.

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

• Moisture, humidity, odor, or visible mold concerns were reported in five additional classrooms.
• ATI continued professional remediation work, including steam cleaning, antimicrobial treatment, dehumidification, and the use of negative-air equipment to help address moisture and humidity.

Thursday August 6, 2026

• Four additional classrooms were identified for treatment.
• The District brought additional Facilities and Risk Management personnel to the site and coordinated independent environmental testing.

Friday, August 7, 2026

• ATI expanded its work across the campus, including additional inspections, antimicrobial treatment, carpet cleaning, dehumidification, and air scrubbing. Elevated humidity was observed in multiple areas.
• Staff were notified of the moisture-related concerns and informed that teachers assigned to impacted classrooms would be temporarily relocated when they returned to work on Monday, August 10.

Saturday, August 8, 2026

• ATI continued remediation and treatment in classrooms identified through the ongoing inspections.
• Dehumidification equipment remained in use to help reduce moisture levels.

Sunday, August 9, 2026

• The initial phase of remediation work was completed.
• The District's independent contracted industrial hygienist conducted environmental sampling in selected classrooms.
• Installation and programming began for new thermostat and humidity-monitoring equipment.

Monday, August 10, 2026

• Installation and programming of the new monitoring equipment continued.
• District staff and contractors continued monitoring campus conditions while awaiting the results of the August 9 independent environmental sampling.
• Teachers returned from summer break, with some teachers temporarily relocated from their classrooms.

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

• The District received the results of the independent environmental sampling conducted on August 9.
• Of the rooms sampled, five were identified as acceptable, five had moderately elevated levels, four had elevated levels, and one required retesting.
• Based on the independent testing results, the District determined that additional remediation and post-remediation testing would be necessary before affected classrooms could return to normal use.

Wednesday, August 12, 2026

• ATI conducted a campus-wide visual inspection of classrooms and identified microbial growth in HVAC closets, including on pipe insulation and caulking around cold copper lines. ATI recommended replacement of affected materials and deeper cleaning of HVAC components.
• Based on the environmental testing results and the additional remediation work required, the District decided to delay the start of school.
• Families and staff were informed of the delay and that affected classrooms would not return to normal use until the necessary work was completed and the independent industrial hygienist determined that the identified issues had been appropriately addressed.
• The District contracted with Belfor Property Restoration, which had the capacity to provide more extensive remediation services, to complete the next phase of work.

Thursday, August 13, 2026

• Belfor Property Restoration began remediation work on campus.
• Remediation, cleaning, moisture-control measures, and other corrective work continued throughout the campus.
• The District continued preparing for post-remediation testing by the independent industrial hygienist.

Until the District received the independent environmental sampling results on Tuesday, August 11, teams were actively remediating affected spaces and preparing for school to open as scheduled. Based on industry-standard remediation protocols and the information available at the time, the District expected that the work underway would allow the affected classrooms to be cleared for re-occupancy.

The August 11 results showed that additional remediation was needed in more classrooms than previously understood. After reviewing the results and the additional work required, the District determined on August 12 that there was not enough time to complete the necessary remediation and follow-up evaluation responsibly before students returned.

Once that determination was made, the District notified staff and families that the start of school would be delayed.

We have heard the frustration from families about receiving this news so close to the first day of school. We understand the disruption this caused, and we are sorry. We are learning from this experience and will use those lessons to improve how we communicate when conditions are evolving and the potential impact to families is significant.

Yes. We are planning to hold an in-person family information session on the evening before students return to school. The session will provide families with an update on the remediation work, environmental testing and results, ongoing monitoring, and next steps, and will provide an opportunity for families to ask questions.

We also plan to record the information session and make it available online for families who are unable to attend in person.

We will share the date, time, location, presenters, and other details as soon as the school reopening date is confirmed, and will also update this FAQ at that time.

The District is currently evaluating the instructional calendar and the options available for addressing the days of school missed because of the delayed opening.

We do not yet know whether the missed days will need to be made up or whether changes to the school calendar will be necessary. We will communicate with families and staff once that review is complete and we have determined how the missed instructional time will be addressed.

Yes. We expect to receive an initial evaluation from the independent industrial hygienist on Tuesday, August 18, which will help determine whether the remediated spaces are ready for re-occupancy. The complete testing reports will be made publicly available once they are finalized and provided to the District.

The post-remediation clearance process is designed to evaluate both the air and surfaces in the areas that were treated. Testing may include:

• Air sampling: Indoor air is collected and analyzed for airborne mold spores and compared with outdoor control samples.
• Surface sampling: Tape-lift samples are collected from selected surfaces, such as carpet, walls, windowsills, or other areas of concern, to determine whether active mold growth remains.
• Additional material sampling, when appropriate: In some areas, wall-core or other targeted sampling may be used to evaluate conditions that cannot be assessed through air or surface testing alone.
• Visual and environmental evaluation: The industrial hygienist reviews the condition of the space, including moisture and humidity conditions, alongside the laboratory results.

The independent industrial hygienist will use these findings to determine whether the identified issues have been appropriately addressed or whether additional remediation or testing is needed before a space returns to normal use.