Monessen School District delays school start after fungal growth found inside buildings, letter says
MONESSEN, Pa. —
A local school district said Saturday that its start date has been delayed. The announcement comes weeks after several “abnormalities” were found inside some of the district’s buildings.
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On Saturday, Monessen School District Superintendent Dr. Robert Motte issued a statement on Facebook, saying the start of the 2026-27 school year has been delayed until Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Motte said the delay is being implemented as a “precautionary measure to complete necessary maintenance and ensure a safe, fully prepared environment for students and staff.”
Additional information will be shared in the coming days with students and parents.
In a letter sent to students and parents last week, Motte said an “abnormality” was found in a wall near the gymnasium concession stand the week of July 28. As the area was further inspected, officials said additional “abnormalities” were identified.
The affected areas were secured and sealed to prevent access. Administrators were notified.
The superintendent said in the letter that as the summer continued, similar issues were discovered behind the walls in several bathrooms.
On Saturday, the school district issued a separate letter, announcing the results of an air quality test conducted in the middle/high school buildings.
The updated letter said a limited screening confirmed “fungal growth on sampled water-damaged building materials in the men’s room near room H-108, the women’s room near room H-108, the office’s women’s room and adjacent office area, and the concession room.”
The concessions area, the letter said, showed the most signifigant airborne amplification, while other areas showed lower concentrations but still showed fungal growth.
Remediation efforts are now being evaluated and will soon be underway.
Anyone who has questions can contact Motte’s office at 724-684-3600 or email rmotte@monessensd.org.
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