KYLE, Texas — An elementary school in Kyle is closing its doors for at least a week after crews discovered mold.
Hays CISD said concerns about the smell of mold at Hemphill Elementary School led to an air quality test. Crews worked to remove the mold from the classroom when they discovered the problem was worse than they originally thought.
The district said mold was found in at least 13 classrooms in areas behind the walls, from the floors up to about three feet above the floors. During the air quality test, crews found elevated levels of Aspergillus/Penicillium, which can affect people with weakened immune systems or cause allergies, according to the CDC.
In an effort to fix the problem, parents were alerted Wednesday that the school would be closed on Thursday, Nov. 2. Hays CISD said it hopes that students can return to campus by Thursday, Nov. 9.
The CDC says Aspergillus, which causes aspergillosis, is very common indoors and outdoors, so most people breathe it in every day. While it isn't harmful to people with healthy immune systems, Aspergillus spores can cause infections in the lungs or sinuses, which can spread to other parts of the body.
Will students need to make up time?
Hays CISD says "enough instructional minutes" have taken place to accommodate for the school missing two full days without the need to make anything up. The district said it plans to work with the Texas Education Agency on a possible waiver for the remaining days missed due to mold.
What will happen to meal services?
Hays CISD said students will continue to have access to meal services while the school is closed. The meal service will be grab-and-go to what schools did during the pandemic.