Mold issues cause Minnesota district to postpone first day of school

One southeast Minnesota school district has yet to start school this year after mold was discovered in several elementary classrooms.

Wabasha-Kellogg public schools has postponed classes at its lone building until further notice to fix the mold issues, which cropped up over the past two weeks as district officials prepared for the school year.

An environmental testing team found elevated levels of common mold spores; workers deep-cleaned the affected areas last week but the process delayed ongoing construction.

Superintendent Nels Onstad said in a video released last weekend that the district, with an enrollment of 750, ran into challenges with the Labor Day holiday as it worked on short- and long-term plans to address the mold issues.

“This means more time is needed to complete the work and safely welcome students and staff back into the building,” Onstad said.

Onstad could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

The Wabasha-Kellogg building underwent renovations this summer as part of a $16.2 million project to replace its heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, among other fixes including a partial roof repair, new windows, security updates and upgrades to several departments.

Wabasha-Kellogg isn’t the only area school district dealing with mold. Plainview-Elgin-Millville officials told parents last week that they discovered mold on carpet inside the district’s pre-K-3 building in Plainview.

P-E-M has had the carpets deep-cleaned and is testing air quality Tuesday, with results expected Wednesday. Classes were in session.

Wabasha-Kellogg officials plan to share more information over the next few days as they eye a potential class start next week.

The delay will likely cause a few child care problems among local families, but residents appear to be taking the construction in stride.