Monessen may start school remotely amid mold remediation at middle-high school

A local school district may have to start the year remotely.

This announcement from Monessen School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Motte comes days after he pushed the start of classes back because mold was found inside the middle-high school building.

In a letter to district families, Motte says resources, like teacher supplies and instruction materials, inside the affected building cannot be accessed.

And, he says while “no final decision has been made,” there’s a “strong possibility” that the school year starts remotely and the district is “preparing for this possibility.”

To support possible remote instruction, the district has purchased additional instructional resources. Access to those resources will be shared once “plans are finalized.”

Motte says the district is also finalizing plans to distribute technology to students and staff.

“I recognize that this situation creates questions and uncertainty for our families,” Motte said. “Please know that the district is working continuously to evaluate our options and make decisions that prioritize the safety, education, and well-being of our students and staff.”

Motte calls the ongoing situation “very fluid” and vows to promptly and transparently communicate information when it becomes available.

The district’s elementary school also underwent an air quality test, the same one that detected mold at the middle-high school, as a proactive measure.

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