News Summary
The start of the school year at Explorer Academy in Huntington, West Virginia, has been postponed due to concerns over mold contamination. Originally set to begin on August 12, officials have prioritized health and safety by closing the building for mold testing and remediation. Following laboratory tests that confirmed the presence of outdoor mold spores, the school will undergo thorough cleaning before reopening. During this time, community updates will be provided to keep families informed about the ongoing situation.
Cabell County Delays School Opening at Explorer Academy Due to Mold Discovery
Immediate Postponement of First Day
In Huntington, West Virginia, the start of the new school year at Explorer Academy has been delayed after concerns about potential mold contamination within the school building. Originally scheduled to begin classes on Wednesday, August 12, 2025, officials announced that the first day will be postponed until further notice to ensure safety and health precautions are met.
Detection and Testing of Mold
The issue came to light last Wednesday when school officials identified possible signs of mold growth. In response, a professional mold remediation company was engaged to perform air quality testing throughout the school premises on Thursday. To expedite the assessment process, samples collected during testing were sent promptly to a laboratory for rapid analysis.
Laboratory Results Confirm Mold Presence
The analysis revealed the presence of two common outdoor mold spores: Penicillium and Cladosporium. These molds are frequently found outdoors and can sometimes indicate environmental conditions conducive to indoor mold growth. While the presence of outdoor spores alone does not necessarily signal a severe health risk, the findings prompted school officials to prioritize safety measures.
Deciding on School Operations
Following recommendations from the mold remediation experts, fogging treatments were suggested as a method to sanitize affected areas. However, despite these recommendations, school administrators elected to close the entire school building to prevent any potential health issues stemming from mold exposure. The decision underscores the importance placed on student and staff safety over the convenience of remaining open.
Impact on Kindergarten and Orientation Events
The kindergarten orientation scheduled as part of the back-to-school activities will be postponed and combined with the rescheduled first day of school, the date of which has yet to be determined. Meanwhile, the Open House event, originally slated for Tuesday evening, will proceed as planned, but will be held in unaffected areas of the building with designated entry and exit points to prevent exposure.
Cleanup and Future Monitoring
Cabell County Schools (CCS) has committed to engaging professional cleaning services for thorough sanitation of the affected areas. Before students and staff can return, the school will undergo additional retesting to confirm that mold levels are within safe limits. CCS officials stated they will maintain ongoing monitoring of the situation and provide regular community updates until the issue is fully resolved.
School Leadership and Community Engagement
Principal Ryan McKenzie will oversee and communicate staff assignments and preparations during the closure period. The school district emphasizes a priority on health safety and transparency and intends to keep families informed throughout the remediation process.
Conclusion
This development at Explorer Academy highlights the importance of health protocols and environmental safety in school facilities. Local authorities intend to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to create a clean and safe learning environment before students return to campus, with the situation under continuous review as remediation efforts proceed.
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Additional Resources
- WV MetroNews: Cabell County School First Day Delayed Due to Mold
- Wikipedia: Mold
- WCHS TV: Cabell County School Postpones First Day of Classes After Mold Found
- Google Search: Mold in Schools
- WSAZ: Mold Issues Postpone First Day of School at One Facility
- Google Scholar: Mold Exposure Health Effects
- WOWK TV: Explorer Academy Delays First Day of School Due to Mold
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mold
- Herald-Dispatch: Explorer Academy Opening Delayed Due to Mold
- Google News: Mold School Delays
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RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
