Mold Pushes Back First Day Of School In Blairstown

BLAIRSTOWN, NJ — Blairstown students will get 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.

"Even though it appears that there are only a few classrooms affected, I must have all areas of the school tested and the results returned before allowing staff and students back into the building," Saalfield said.

It's not clear exactly how long that process will take, and it could take more than one day. Parents are asked to monitor the school's Facebook and website for more information, and can expect a call as well, Saalfield said.

Blairstown is not the first North Jersey district to have to postpone the first day of school. Hopatcong pushed back its first day for all schools after mold was discovered. Blairstown is a single-school district.

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