Hopatcong's Tulsa Trail School Aims To Reopen On Oct. 4 After Ida-Related Mold

HOPATCONG, NJ — Students at Hopatcong’s Tulsa Trail School have remained remote since Sept. 16, following the discovery of mold in the building the day prior.

The mold condition is connected to heavy rains that pummeled New Jersey with the remnants of Ida in early September.

Superintendent Dr. Joseph Piccirillo anticipates the school should be able to reopen by Monday, Oct. 4, as long as air quality tests are clear.

Piccirillo announced on the district’s website to Tulsa Trail families that the building inspector is expected to return on Wednesday to perform the tests, which can take up to 48 hours for the results.

After the initial closure on Sept. 16, the air test was going to be performed on Sept. 22, after cleaning crews had vigorously sanitized the school the weekend following the mold’s discovery. Plans to reopen the school by Sept. 23 or 24, however, were sidelined after the inspector declined to perform the Sept. 22 tests, after several areas of surface mold cropped up again in the building.

Piccirillo said the school district will post another update on its website, once the test results are returned.

“Please know that we have made plans to air condition the school to avoid experiencing this problem in the future,” Piccirillo said. “We also have dehumidifiers throughout the building to ensure the humidity stays low to prevent mold growth.”

While students have stayed remote, Piccirillo told families the district received approval from New Jersey’s Department of Education, for the virtual days to count toward the 180-day mandated school year.

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