Monessen School Mold Crisis: Parents Demand Answers

Monessen City School District parents remain anxious following the school board's decision to have middle-high school students return to classes on November 16th. This announcement came after an investigation revealed extensive mold, moisture, and structural defects in the middle-high school and elementary school buildings.

Superintendent Dr. Robert Motte stated that videos showing issues were recorded before remediation efforts. However, new documents and videos suggest ongoing problems. Remediation and demolition work in the middle-high school bathrooms began around October 6th, with post-remediation verification performed on October 8th. Yet, whistleblower videos from October 20th and 30th depicted bathrooms still under construction.

Concerns also extend to a twisted beam in a classroom, with parents questioning its safety due to visible wall cracks. Emails from October 13th highlighted this as a safety concern. While an engineering report from K2 Engineering was never released, another company suggested repairs were needed for floor slab issues causing wall buckling.

Regarding the elementary school, Dr. Motte described the mold as surface-level and less severe than in the middle-high school. Nevertheless, parents reported persistent coughs and respiratory issues in young children since their return. The district plans to clean the surface mold. Despite assurances of safety and remediation progress, parents continue to seek clear answers and assurances for their children's well-being.