Local
Coddle Creek Elementary Shifts to Remote Learning as Mold and HVAC Problems Keep School Shut Through Friday
Iredell-Statesville Schools extended Coddle Creek Elementary's closure through Nov. 13 after air quality testing showed more remediation was needed, with students moving to online learning and a planned return on Monday, Nov. 16.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. â Coddle Creek Elementary School will remain closed through the end of the week, with students switching to remote instruction Thursday and Friday, as district officials continue addressing mold and indoor air quality concerns tied to broken HVAC equipment.
Iredell-Statesville Schools announced the extension after what officials described as feedback from the school community. The campus had already been closed earlier in the week for a comprehensive cleaning. Students will learn online on Thursday, Nov. 12, and Friday, Nov. 13, and the district expects the building to reopen on Monday, Nov. 16.
Jada Jonas, the district's public information officer, said school leaders chose to keep cleaning and wait for test results before allowing students back inside.
"We will continue to keep you informed as testing results become available and appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to ensure a safe learning environment for our students and staff," Jonas said.
The problems at Coddle Creek date back to August, when the district began working with HVAC professionals to assess conditions at the school, address moisture and humidity, perform additional cleaning and run multiple rounds of indoor air quality testing. Recent testing indicated more work was necessary, prompting officials to arrange professional cleaning of the school's air ducts and air handlers while the building was empty.
District officials identified broken HVAC units across the school as the primary issue. They also sought to explain how air quality testing works, noting that indoor spore counts are compared with outdoor air samples collected at the same time. An area is considered to have "elevated" readings only when indoor counts exceed the outdoor baseline. Officials stressed that "elevated" is not a health standard, meaning a low spore count could still be labeled elevated depending on outdoor air quality that day.
"We understand that families want answers and, most importantly, confidence in their children's school environment," a spokesperson said. "We are committed to addressing these concerns, taking appropriate action, and keeping families informed throughout this process, which will include ongoing monitoring for the remainder of the school year, even after remediation is completed."
The closure has disrupted routines for families in the Mooresville area, who now face two additional days of at-home learning while the district completes duct cleaning and awaits test results. The district has not released a timeline for when those results will be shared publicly, but officials said monitoring will continue through the rest of the academic year.