{"id":367047,"date":"2026-06-19T11:27:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T11:27:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/367047\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T11:27:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T11:27:12","slug":"california-elementary-school-in-crisis-mode-as-kids-forced-to-learn-in-most-toxic-rooms-imaginable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/367047\/","title":{"rendered":"California elementary school in crisis mode as kids forced to learn in most toxic rooms imaginable"},"content":{"rendered":"

Parents at a San Diego-area elementary school are growing frustrated with pests and mold infesting <\/a>their children\u2019s classrooms, as fears grow for their safety without learning.<\/p>\n

Nine teachers have reported rodents, mold, mildew and cockroaches at Fuerte Elementary in the Cajon Valley Union School District, according to independent journalist Amy Reichart<\/a>. It\u2019s gotten so bad that some parents have pulled their children from school.<\/p>\n

\"Picture<\/p>\n

Picture of mold at the school. Change Org<\/p>\n

A petition<\/a> was recently launched to demand transparency from the school district on facility maintenance and campus conditions. More than 270 people have signed on as of Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Issues of water intrusion and pest activity have been plaguing classrooms over the past school year, the petition read. The incoming summer break for students is a ripe chance to address those issues forcefully.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile some concerns may already be under review, many families would appreciate greater transparency regarding assessments, planned repairs, and long-term facility improvements,\u201d the petition read.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe entrusted our children into this environment, are we going to allow it to slide?\u201d<\/p>\n

The petition creator, who was not identified, shared a photo of black mold growing on the wall or ceiling of a classroom that she said her child spent a year in. The Post reached out to the organizer.<\/p>\n

\"Anthony<\/p>\n

Anthony Carnevale<\/p>\n

Anthony Carnevale, a school board member, responded to the petition and said the school\u2019s septic issues are set to be repaired this summer while another school just had their issues fixed last year.<\/p>\n

However, he acknowledged the need for urgent action.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt shouldn\u2019t have gotten to the point where kids and school employees are exposed to these conditions, but sometimes local government needs to be reminded who they serve and whose money they\u2019re spending,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cResist bureaucratic gaslighting. Water intrusion and pest issues are serious health and safety problems that require real remediation and repair.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maintenance requests and documentation of issues should be sent to the superintendent, he added, promising to get those shared with the whole school board. Carnevale also said he will ask to publicly share a plan to get schools back into shape.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no excuse for failure here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The school district told The California Post through a spokesperson that an on-site inspection was done on June 12 in response to several complaints from one parent.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis inspection found no conditions that would compromise the health or safety of students or staff. The only maintenance issue identified was a single expired fire extinguisher, which is already being addressed promptly,\u201d the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

The district insisted infrastructure upgrades have been done at the school and more are coming, including replacement of the current septic system.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe health, safety, and security of our students and staff remain our highest priorities,\u201d the district said. \u201cPlease be assured that we are fully committed to maintaining our facilities in strict accordance with all applicable State of California laws, regulations, and safety standards.\u201d<\/p>\n

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