FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — Some Fort Bend Independent School District students and staff members will be spending the upcoming school year at neighboring campuses after mold was found at their school.
Fort Bend ISD officials said non-airborne mold was found on campus at Barrington Place Elementary.
"The non-airborne mold was discovered in the chilled water piping, located above the ceiling, during routine facilities assessment in late June. The insulation that surrounds the chilled water piping deteriorated with age, allowing moisture to get into the material, creating conditions suitable for mold growth," the district said in a statement.
The district said the mold remains undisturbed and poses a minimal health risk.
Becky Lockwood's granddaughter attends Barrington Place.
"It was just another thing you have to deal with. I mean, what can you do? I’m glad they are addressing it and taking care of it," she said.
Students and staff members will spend the 2022-23 school year at nearby campuses.
- Students in prekindergarten and early childhood special education programs will attend Sugar Mills Elementary.
- Students in kindergarten through 2nd grade will attend Meadows Elementary.
- Students in 3rd through 5th grade will attend Lakeview Elementary.
Lockwood said the adjustment will be tough on her soon-to-be 2nd-grader.
"We are anticipating a lot of anxiety problems. She already has a lot of social anxiety,” Lockwood said. "We'll get through it and deal with it."
Dus Neb has two brothers who graduated from the school this year. He said he has seen the need for improvements firsthand.
"By now, if it's not kept up, I’m expecting to see some problems. It's been there for a long time," Neb said.
Mold remediation work and renovations will be completed in time for students and staff to be back on campus to start the 2023-24 school year, according to Ft. Bend ISD.
Barrington students will have access to all of their normal student services at their host campuses, including transportation and extended learning programs.
Barrington Place Elementary opened in 1990. As one of the district’s older campuses, its renovation was slated to be included in the proposed 2022 bond package.
The district said some school office staff and administrators are continuing to work on campus until repairs begin.