Tidwell Elementary closed for mold removal

The North Forest ISD closed the Tidwell Elementary campus last week after the presence of mold was confirmed in the school. Students resumed instruction this week at the Hilliard Elementary campus. Tidwell is expected to be closed for the remainder of the school year.

By BOBBY HORN JR.
For the second time this year students at a North Forest ISD school will be forced to move to another campus.
Last week students at Tidwell Elementary were sent home for what the district called “facilities problems.” Parents and employee, however say mold at the school was causing complaints of headaches, red eyes and sore throats.
The school district initially denied that there was mold in the school, but later in the week confirmed that mold was found during an inspection.
North Forest ISD Spokesperson Nakisha Miles said that classes were cancelled on through the rest of the week.
Students were told to report to Hilliard Elementary on Oct. 9 to resume classes. Miles said that she has not gotten any reports of students becoming ill from the mold.
Last week the Board of Trustees met to discuss and the situation and decided to move the approximately 1,080 kindergarten through fifth grade students to Hilliard. Interim Superintendent William Jones has told his staff that Tidwell will likely have to be closed for the remainder of the school year for cleanup.
Miles said that they do not know much it will cost to have the mold removed.
This is the second time this year the district has had a mass transfer of students.
Before the school year began vandals released water hoses at Forest Brook High School damaging all three floors. Students have transferred to Smiley High while repairs and renovations are underway.