CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A group of Capital High School students are making the most of their time off from school after officials announced the school would be closed until at least Monday due to a mold problem.
About two dozen Capital students were at Ruffner Elementary School Thursday to help young students read and write.
“I just think it’s really good that we can turn a not-so-great situation with our school into a good one by coming down here and being able to spend time with them,” said Caroline Kinney, a CHS junior.
Kinney was among several cheerleaders who volunteered their time at Ruffner. She said she was aware of the high levels of mold and CO2 that were found in three classrooms, but she didn’t know the problem would worsen.
“We heard about it before. There was a big rumor going around about it, so it wasn’t really a surprise, but we didn’t know quite the extent that it went to,” Kinney said.
Capital High School Principal Larry Bailey announced Monday that mold was found in 60 out of the 188 classrooms, which is nearly one-third of the school. School has been closed this week so cleaning crews can scrub each classroom and conduct air quality tests.
Jayden Mitchell, a Capital freshman, told MetroNews he was happy to be off school, but then quickly realized the situation was more serious than he thought.
“I was excited when I heard about it, but then I found out all these kids were getting sick from it,” Mitchell said.
Health officials previously said high levels of mold would only affect people with asthma and allergies.
“It makes you think,” said football player and junior CHS student Jahzeiah Wade. “You never really know what’s going on inside your school. I’m just glad they’re getting it cleaned up.”
The cause of the mold build-up is unknown.
Capital High officials say the goal is to reopen the school by Monday.