Upper Perkiomen High School closed for a week to resolve mold, moisture issues

PENNSBURG, Pa. (WTXF) - Upper Perkiomen High School will be closed the week of September 10-14 due to moisture issues in the building.

As reported on the school's website, officials with the school noticed mold growing in the high school building over the summer. The district hired a company to remove the mold and clean the building.

About 7:30 Sunday morning, an HVAC crew rolled onto the campus of Upper Perkiomen High School to address the growing black mold issue.

"It's a shame. I just hope they take care of it for the other children," said JoAnn Spaits.

"I think I'm actually getting sick from it because since school started, I got a bad rash up my arms and on my chest. I've been getting sick. I actually threw up at school the other day and was sent home," said Upper Perkiomen senior Cody Huff.

Huff tells Fox 29 since the start of the school year, mold has been a clear problem.

"The gym was closed off. It was completely bagged over because there was black mold in there so nobody was allowed in gym. All the gym classes had to go to the auditorium. And it was like that 'til they closed the school," Huff explained.

An obvious sign of trouble which makes some parents and students wonder.

"If they knew about it, like, especially if they were going as far as to cover it up, they maybe should, like, maybe not send kids to school for at least a few more days," Huff stated.

Now Huff and all of his classmates will be home as crews tackle what's become a widespread health concern as seasonal heat, humidity and rain become more extreme.

"There are so many schools being closed because of mold. Let's protect our kids," said Spaits.

Upper Perkiomen Schools Superintendent Alexis McGloin said mold was first noticed over the summer and it was believed to have been taken care of. In a letter sent to parents Saturday night, McGloin said:

The areas of surface mold were cleaned, the air was scrubbed, air filters were proactively replaced, dehumidifiers were brought in and we felt confident that the issues were resolved at the time.

Unfortunately, as you know, the problematic weather has persisted and our system simply can't keep up at this point.

A school board meeting is scheduled for Thursday night, September 13 at 7 p.m. Anyone with questions or concerns about the mold issue is encouraged to attend.

The days missed are scheduled to be made up November 6, 19 and 20 and January 21.

For more information, visit the school's website here.