Huntington, West Virginia, August 13, 2025
News Summary
Explorer Academy in Cabell County has postponed its first day of classes after discovering mold contamination. Officials decided to close the school to ensure safety while remediation is undertaken. Mold testing revealed common spores, prompting thorough cleaning and monitoring of air quality. Although classes are postponed, an Open House event will still proceed in an unaffected area. The safety of students and staff remains the school’s top priority as measures are implemented to address the mold issue.
Huntington, West Virginia – Explorer Academy, a Pre-K through 5th grade school in Cabell County, has decided to postpone its first day of classes, which was originally set for Wednesday, August 12, 2025, due to concerns over possible mold contamination. This decision follows the school officials’ discovery of mold after reports raised alarm last week.
Officials were alerted to the mold issue last Wednesday, prompting immediate action. The situation escalated quickly as a mold remediation company was brought in to test the air quality at Explorer Academy on Thursday. The results were expedited to a lab for faster analysis. Preliminary findings revealed the presence of two common outdoor mold spores, Penicillium and Cladosporium, which raised concerns about the health and safety of students and staff.
Although the remediation company recommended running foggers in the affected rooms instead of closing the school entirely, school officials opted for caution and decided to close Explorer Academy. This decision was made to ensure the safety of both students and faculty. In light of this postponement, the kindergarten orientation has also been affected; it will be rescheduled to the same day as the new first day of school, the date of which is yet to be determined.
Despite the closure, the Open House event originally scheduled for Tuesday evening will still take place. The event will use an entry and exit in an unaffected area of the building to allow families to visit. Meanwhile, Cabell County Schools (CCS) is taking thorough measures to address the mold issue, including engaging professionals for comprehensive cleaning and retesting of the affected areas before allowing anyone back into the building.
In the meantime, Principal Ryan McKenzie has been tasked with providing guidance to staff regarding assignments and activities during the closure. CCS has committed to continuously monitoring the situation and keeping the community informed with updates as efforts to resolve the mold issue progress.
The safety of students and staff remains the top priority for school officials as they work to address this concern effectively.
Background Information
Mold can pose serious health risks, especially for children with respiratory issues or allergies. The identification of Penicillium and Cladosporium, though common mold spores typically found in outdoor environments, can be exacerbated in indoor settings where moisture exists. Mold remediation is necessary not only to eliminate visible mold but also to ensure that air quality complies with health standards.
Explorer Academy serves a young demographic, making the response to this issue all the more critical, as parents and guardians depend on the school to provide a safe learning environment.
FAQ Section
Why has Explorer Academy postponed the school start date?
The school has postponed the start date due to concerns about mold contamination found within the school. As a precaution, officials decided to close the school for thorough cleaning and testing.
What types of mold were discovered at Explorer Academy?
The air quality samples showed the presence of two common outdoor mold spores, Penicillium and Cladosporium.
Will there be any events still taking place at the academy?
Yes, the Open House event scheduled for Tuesday will still occur, utilizing an unaffected area of the building for entry and exit.
What are the next steps for Explorer Academy regarding the mold issue?
Cabell County Schools will engage professionals to conduct thorough cleaning and retesting of the affected areas before allowing students and staff to return to the facility.
Key Features Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| School Name | Explorer Academy |
| Location | Cabell County, West Virginia |
| Initial Start Date | August 12, 2025 |
| Mold Types Detected | Penicillium, Cladosporium |
| Current Status | School Closed for Remediation |
| Open House Status | Will Proceed in Unaffected Area |
| Safety Measures | Engaging professionals for cleaning and retesting |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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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