NORTH ADAMS, Mass. – Superintendent Barbara Malkas shared the results of two air quality reports from the Mass Department of Public Health and GEM Environmental taken at Brayton Elementary School. The reports came after mold was found inside the school a couple days before classes started.

GEM Environmental found the mold spore counts to be lower in the school than the air outside.

The Mass DPH found the temperature and humidity of the rooms in question were in the recommended range. 

They recommended the school checks for mold growth regularly, use vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters, along with a number of other steps. 

Malkas said they plan to remove the carpets in the hallway and start clearing out items that potentially have mold.

“The air flow is really maximized as much as possible in the lower level, and we are going to remove all of the potential food source for mold so paper products that are being stored down here that are no longer of use,” said Malkas.

She said the carpet in the hallway is expected to be removed during school breaks so as to not disrupt the learning environment, and humidifiers and air purifiers are running in the rooms daily.