20 NJ Schools Have Closed Already: Here's How They May Make It Up

You may not like how New Jersey school districts are going to make up all these cancellations now that the new school year is barely two weeks old.

Nearly all these problems are connected to mold that's turned up in classrooms at 19 schools, while another – Montclair High School – had to shut down this week because of a staircase collapse. And many districts say they've already canceled snow days, spring break days or both to make up for it (see list below).

Even though we haven't had a single snowflake – nor have we had a storm like Hurricane Florence – weather appears to be the culprit.

The most probable cause for the mold was the heavy rain and high humidity New Jersey experienced during the last weeks of August, according to Brick Superintendent Gerald Dalton, whose district had mold problems but did not cancel days.

Many districts also had the same problems as Brick, which discovered that its dehumidification system was not performing as designed. Ventilation also brought in some outdoor mold spores, officials said.

Many New Jersey schools chose to shut down and spend tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars to clean up the classrooms. Some haven't even reopened their schools yet.

"The health, comfort, and learning environment of students and staff are important aspects of Flemington-Raritan Regional School District's mission," said Kari McGann, superintendent of schools. "School-aged children spend a large part of their day inside our school buildings; therefore, Flemington-Raritan Regional School District is strongly committed to the health and comfort of our students and staff, as well the environmental quality in our schools.

Here is what these districts are doing, and how they may handle cancelations:

Flemington-Raritan Regional

With the temporary closing of Francis A. Desmares and the need to have a few more days to prepare Copper Hill Elementary for students, the Flemington-Raritan Regional School District was not opened for students as planned on Thursday, September 6 or Friday, September 7.

Schools were closed on Monday, September 10, as planned, for Rosh Hashanah.

The district will use two contingency snow days that were previously built into the calendar; April 29 and May 24. These two days will now be regular school days for students. A revised calendar will follow soon, officials say.

All students were to return to school on Tuesday, September 11 and report to their assigned school.

Butler

Strains of aspergillus/penicillium fungus were discovered in three classrooms at Richard Butler School. The Richard Butler School was closed on Wednesday, September 12 and Thursday, September 13.

These days will be made up for Richard Butler School on Friday, February 15 and Monday, February 18 during early dismissal sessions, officials say.

Buena Regional

Two schools, the Dr. J.P. Cleary Elementary and Collings Lakes Elementary schools, in the Buena Regional School District were closed on Monday because of mold, according to officials.

The schools say they're clearing the mold, which was found in isolated areas. But officials say they want to take every precaution to protect students and teachers while the cleanup takes place.

"I certainly understand the complexity of feelings that you may be experiencing – anxiety, anger and confusion," said David Cappuccio, superintendent of schools.

The district hasn't decided how to make up the days yet.

Hopatcong

Hopatcong Schools will open for the year on Sept. 18, eight school days after they first intended to open. Mold in two schools pushed back the opening of the three-school district.

School was expected to open on Sept. 6, but mold in Hudson Maxim Elementary School and Tulsa Trail Elementary School pushed it back. Officials had hoped to open by Sept. 10, a goal that came and went.

All the schools have been cleaned, and the schools are in the process of being retested, the acting superintendent, Joanne Mullane, said. It's not immediately clear how the days will be made up yet. Read more here...

North Brunswick

The mold problems are continuing to plague New Jersey schools at the start of the school year, and now we can add North Brunswick to the list.

The mold was first discovered last week and the high school was shut down early Friday morning. The school will remain shut for the rest of the week. It's not immediately clear how the days will be made up yet. Read more here...

Mount Olive

Mold was found in a Mount Olive middle school, forcing the temporary closure of the building, acting Superintendent Susan Breton said in a letter.

The mold was found in two classrooms and the auditorium at the middle school, Breton said. Although the mold is not life threatening, it could cause respiratory issues. The school was closed on Sept. 11 and 12 for further testing and clean-up, officials said. It's not clear how the days will be made up yet. Read more here....

Blairstown

Blairstown students got some extra summertime this year after the discovery of mold forced the school to postpone its opening, superintendent Mark Saalfield said.

The school had been set to open on Sept. 4, but new air and surface tests revealed mold in some fourth grade classrooms. Classrooms in that wing will be remediated by a professional, Saalfield said. It's not clear how the days will be made up yet. Read more here...

Old Bridge

Mold found at the Jonas Salk Middle School delayed the school's opening until Sept. 12, the district says.

Watchung

Bayberry Elementary School's opening was delayed, according to a message from interim superintendent Stephanie Bilenker. Fifteen classrooms had high levels of possible mold. School was to start Sept. 11. It's not clear how the days will be made up yet.

With reporting by Karen Wall

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