SRMS students moved to Salmon River while mold problem continues

Salmon River School District officials announced Wednesday that pre-k and kindergarten students at the St. Regis Mohawk School in Akwesasne are being relocated to the Salmon River campus school while a mold problem continues to be investigated and repaired.

Previously, a moisture and mold problem was discovered in the school’s first and second grade wing – the oldest wing of the building. School officials have now revealed that further investigation uncovered mold problems in the pre-k and kindergarten wings as well.

“We have been able to confirm that the 300 Wing of the building, which houses pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, has been mildly impacted by a common mold,” the district said.

However, Franklin County Director of Public Health Mose Herne said, “To date, air measurements have not indicated levels of mold that are of a significant public health concern.”

Beginning this week, the pre-k and kindergarten students are to be taken to the SRMS for breakfast after which they’ll be transferred by bus to the campus school with their teachers to resume class. At the end of the day, the students will be returned to the SRMS in time for normal dismissal.

“We are working diligently to provide the best and safest learning environment for our children and we will continue to work toward returning all students to their assigned classrooms as soon as possible,” school officials said.

No time frame has been set for the repairs, but the school plans to remove the carpets and both levels of ceilings in the 400 Wing (the first and second grade wing). Abatement of asbestos floor tiles will also be conducted as necessary. Fans and filters are also being installed to improve the air circulation in the building, and humidistat/temperature sensors will be installed as well.

The mold problem was discovered during the week before classes resumed this fall, when teachers setting up in the classrooms detected a moldy odor. The first and second grade students were not permitted to enter their normal classrooms on the first day of school and instead temporary classrooms were set up in the gymnasium until the second plan of action could be executed. Now, those students have class in the special area classrooms (music, Mohawk, etc.), and those classes will take place in the multi-purpose room.

“All measures that are presently being taken are precautionary,” said Superintendent Jane Collins. “Our first priority is the health and safety of our students. I want to publicly thank our employees and families for their patience and understanding as we work toward a solution for the problems we are facing.”

School officials have been meeting with experts from the Franklin County Public Health, NYS Department of Health, NYS Office of General Services, NYS Office of Education Facilities and the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s Environment Division. The school plans to hold a parent meeting as well with those organizations.

Concerned parents and community members can direct questions to Superintendent Jane Collins at 358-6610 or SRMS Principal Sharlee Thomas at 358-2763.