JACKSONVILLE, Ark. (KATV) — Jacksonville Elementary School is closed for the remainder of the week after environmental testing detected elevated mold levels in three areas of the building.
The Jacksonville North Pulaski School District said elevated mold was found in Classroom 102, the Media Center and the nurse’s office. The discovery prompted the district to close the school while the entire building is professionally cleaned.
Crews could be seen outside the school Wednesday as that work got underway.
The closure came as a surprise to Nancy Sims, whose two grandchildren attend Jacksonville Elementary.
“It was really a big shocker. I’ve never heard of anything like this happening at any school,” Sims said. “Considering our school is 5 years old, I would not think that would be an issue at this point.”
The district notified parents and guardians that Jacksonville Elementary would be closed Wednesday through Sunday. Students who need to attend school through Friday are being temporarily relocated to Jacksonville High School, where alternative instruction is being provided.
Families also have the option to keep their children home during the closure. Sims chose to keep her grandchildren home.
The district said an environmental consultant determined high humidity contributed to the problem. Staff will keep interior and exterior doors closed to help reduce humidity. District officials also said other school buildings will be inspected as an added precaution.
Sims said she believes the district has done a good job communicating what it is doing now, but she still wants to know how another problem will be prevented.
“I think they’ve done a good job so far letting us know, hey, this is what’s going on, this is the steps that we’re going to take to resolve the issue,” Sims said. “But the answers that I would like to have are what are you going to do to prevent this.”
KATV sent the district several questions, including what initially prompted the environmental testing and when district officials first became aware there could be an indoor air-quality or mold problem.
KATV also asked whether a complaint, visible mold, an odor, health concerns or something else led the district to investigate.
The district did not respond directly to those questions. Instead, it sent KATV the same notice provided to parents and guardians.
The district anticipates reopening Jacksonville Elementary on Monday, Aug. 24, pending confirmation that the cleaning process is complete and the building is ready for students and staff.
Sims said she wants the district to take whatever time is necessary before allowing students back inside.
“I don’t want it to be rushed,” Sims said. “I’m going to be kind of worried. That’s always going to be in the back of my mind. Is there mold somewhere else?”
The district said it plans to provide families with another update before students return to Jacksonville Elementary.
The Jacksonville North Pulaski School District Parent Action Coalition issued this statement on the closure. “The Jacksonville North Pulaski Parent Action Coalition acknowledges and appreciates the prompt actions taken by JNPSD following the discovery of mold at Jacksonville Elementary School. The district’s immediate decision to relocate students, provide secure transportation, and mitigate exposure reflects a responsible and studentcentered approach.
We further commend the district for its transparency and for proactively testing other campuses to ensure no additional buildings were impacted. These measures reinforce the importance of maintaining safe learning environments and open communication with families.
The PAC remains committed to advocating for practices that uphold student safety throughout the district.”