First Floor Rebuilding Under Way at Middle School

Rebuilding efforts at Manchester Township Middle School are under way, as nearly the entirety of the lower level has been cleaned, according to school district administration.

About 80 percent of the mold clean-up process has been completed on the school's first floor, Superintendent of Schools David Trethaway said in a recent statement on the district's website.

"Rebuilding is now under way in the newer part of the first floor," Trethaway said. "The floor has been leveled and repaired and the floor tile is being installed in the classrooms."

Mold was found in the building's downstairs in August and MTMS students have been attending Manchester Township High School in a split session schedule since the new school year started. Administrators have said that restoration may be completed in November, but Trethaway has said on several occasions that the building will not open until completely safe.

Last week, the newer section of the first floor has been tested and cleared. The entire second floor of the Ridgeway Road school has been cleaned and has passed testing this week, Trethaway said.

The specifications for a wood gym floor, which will replace carpeting in that space, have been advertised for bid and Business Administrator Craig Lorentzen has met with six flooring companies to review those plans, Trethaway said.

Bids are due in to administrators by Oct. 16, and the district's Board of Education is expected to award a contract during its Oct. 17 meeting, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Ridgeway Elementary School. 

It was announced in September that the district's insurance company attributed the mold growth to older improperly functioning equipment. As such, the company will cover the cost of the restoration, though it is still unclear what the project's final cost will be. The district's insurance policy has a $75,000 deductible, according to Lorentzen.

Trethaway again expressed his appreciation for the cooperation of those affected by the clean-up process.

"The work is proceeding well but it is important to note that each area is being tested and we are also working with the town to insure that everything else is compliant to the required specifications," he said.