Hinsdale school remains closed while mold tests continue

Hinsdale Middle School will remain closed Tuesday and Wednesday to allow additional time to clean the school and perform mold testing in the wake of water damage that occurred last week, Hinsdale School District 181 announced over the weekend.

The district continues to await the results of the latest mold tests conducted at the school. Possible mold was discovered last week, and ensuing tests confirmed low concentrations of mold spores on Saturday.

This week, a hygienist will be on site to test the air, collect additional samples, and observe the work being conducted by a firm that specializes in water damage restoration, according to information released by the district.

On either Wednesday or Thursday, at a time yet to be determined, the district will hold a meeting to address the situation. The district said parents, staff and interested community members are encouraged to attend. Attendees will have an opportunity to tour the building prior to classes being resumed.

District officials closed the school Friday after a series of events that began Jan. 4 when a teacher noticed water dripping into the music room. Later that night, the district received a call from the Hinsdale Fire Department, which has responded to an alarm triggered by water flow in the sprinkler system. The water damage affected all three floors of the school.

Integrity Environmental Services Inc. was called in on Jan. 10 to conduct an air quality test. Results showed air quality to be well within acceptable guidelines.

On Thursday, Jan. 16, drywall was removed and walls were tested, with possible mold growth identified. On Saturday, results from the samples showed low concentrations of mold spores on the drywall and surface samples tested.

This isn’t the first time mold has been discovered at the school. Water-related mold was discovered in July and again in August. Subsequent remediation was conducted, including the replacement of wet drywall.