New Jersey Classrooms Reopen after Mold Removal; Alexandria Township Welcomes Back Students Following Two-Week Closure

Students at Alexandria Township School in Hunterdon County have returned to classrooms after a two-week closure caused by mold found in 33 rooms, following extensive remediation and air quality clearance.

News source: Google trends/The Forest Scout:  https://theforestscout.com/

Students at Alexandria Township School in Hunterdon County have returned to their classrooms after a two-week closure triggered by mold discovered in 33 rooms across the building. The school welcomed back its full student body on Monday, September 21, 2026, following comprehensive remediation and air quality testing that confirmed the building was safe for occupancy.

"Staff and students will not return to the building until the necessary remediation has been completed and follow-up testing confirms that the building is safe," Interim Superintendent Barbara Popp said in a communication to parents.

The mold was identified by environmental testing company RK Environmental on September 3; just days after the school year began on August 26. The company determined the mold resulted from significant rainfall, elevated humidity levels, and cooler nighttime temperatures. Black mold was not found. Students had been learning virtually since September 4 while remediation work was carried out.

Phased Return to Classrooms

School officials took a cautious, phased approach to reopening. On Monday evening, administrators decided to bring back pre-kindergarten through fourth-grade students in a wing that RK Environmental had deemed safe. Staff and students returned to that section on Tuesday morning. Fifth- through eighth-grade students continued with remote learning while the remainder of the building was remediated. Gold Star Restoration individually cleaned every surface in every classroom. Air scrubbers were used to filter the air, and areas undergoing restoration were isolated using plastic containment barriers. Students were required to eat outside or in classrooms, wash their hands after eating, and wipe down desks and tables. Some grade levels shared classrooms because space in the cleared wing was limited.

Mold Concerns across New Jersey

The Alexandria Township closure is one of several mold-related disruptions affecting New Jersey schools this fall. In South River, elementary and middle schools were closed on September 24 and 25 after a power outage caused HVAC system issues that may have contributed to localized mold growth. Environmental contractors conducted building-wide assessments while students remained home. The recurring nature of these incidents has raised questions about the adequacy of summer maintenance and ventilation systems in aging school buildings. In New Jersey, summer weather conditions high heat and high humidity combined with buildings closed for two months create ideal conditions for mold growth.

"Controlling mold means getting the water, moisture and humidity out of school buildings," according to guidance from the New Jersey Education Association.

The Alexandria Township School district has not yet announced when the remaining students will return to full in-person instruction. Principal Erin Durborow said it remains unclear when the rest of the building will be cleared for occupancy.

Here is the question this closure raises. A New Jersey school district has spent two weeks remediating mold found in 33 classrooms, while other districts across the state face similar disruptions. When mold outbreaks become a recurring fall ritual in aging school buildings, what does it say about the state of America's investment in school infrastructure?

FAQ:

Q: Which New Jersey school closed due to mold?
A: Alexandria Township School in Hunterdon County closed after mold was found in 33 classrooms.

Q: How long was the school closed?
A: Students were learning virtually for more than two weeks, from September 4 to September 21.

Q: What caused the mold at Alexandria Township School?
A: Environmental testing found the mold resulted from significant rainfall, elevated humidity levels, and cooler nighttime temperatures.

Q: How many students attend Alexandria Township School?
A: The school serves more than 400 students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

Q: What other New Jersey schools have faced mold issues?
A: South River's elementary and middle schools closed on September 24 and 25 due to HVAC-related mold concerns following a power outage.

Q: What remediation steps were taken at Alexandria Township School?
A: Gold Star Restoration individually cleaned every surface, used air scrubbers, and isolated affected areas with plastic containment barriers.