Following concerns posted on social media, Allentown School District officials said air quality test results show no threats to student health from reported mold beneath the Allen High pool.
“The results of the most recent indoor air quality tests, conducted on September 30, 2025, by Element Environmental, are conclusive: there is no immediate health hazard, and the natatorium is safe to occupy,” Chief Operations Officer Robert Whartenby said in the statement sent Monday evening.
The pool was constructed around 1970, and Whartenby acknowledged that repairs have struggled to keep pace with maintenance needs.
“The District has completed multiple repair projects on the pool since 2007 to provide temporary relief; however, ongoing water infiltration has continued to affect lower-level spaces such as the running track and weight room,” Whartenby said. “Out of an abundance of caution, the track area has been restricted for several years, and the school has recently restricted access to the weight room as well.”
Multiple professional engineering and environmental firms have assessed the safety of the facility since 2018, Whartenby said, and the district received an updated study this summer listing options to modernize the pool and address the structural and mechanical concerns.
“We will continue to monitor environmental conditions and conduct quarterly air quality tests, as we work to maintain healthy learning environments across all of our schools,” Whartenby said. “The Allentown School District remains committed to transparency and proactive maintenance of all facilities. Any potential athletic-related enhancements will be reviewed by the School Board of Directors’ Athletic Committee as part of the established evaluation and planning process.”
Originally Published: October 14, 2025 at 10:47 AM EDT