Local

Mold found in multiple classrooms in Polk County elementary school

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Crews are expected to put significant time into cleaning Loughman Oaks Elementary School after numerous classrooms were found to have mold growing inside them.

In all eight kindergarten classrooms at Loughman were evacuated due to multiplying mold spores.

"My reaction, we live in Florida and it's not a situation unique to Polk County," said Polk County Superintendent Kathryn LeRoy. "We are confident we have it under control."

Teachers first complained in April and said they, along with students, were getting sick.

School officials said the situation was addressed then and that things were cleaned up by maintenance staff.

When staff went back to the school in October, however, they said the mold was still there.

And in a 28-page indoor air quality report released by the school district, an independent company found visible mold growth on several pieces of furniture in several classrooms.

"How confident are you there is no mold in other classrooms?" asked Channel 9's Kristyn Caddell.

"We had professional staff go in and no more has been brought to my attention," said LeRoy.

As crews worked to remove the mold, students were placed in different classrooms.

"There was no disruption to the learning process," said LeRoy.

LeRoy said there was not a written air quality policy in place until Tuesday night.

The classrooms will be evaluated Monday and if all goes as planned students will be back in them on Tuesday.