Paterson moves 48 students after discovery of mold at School 1 trailers
By Jayed Rahman
Published: September 12, 2018
The school district is relocating four dozen pre-kindergarten students from School 1 trailers after discovery of mold.
Workers discovered black mold on Wednesday while working on one of the trailer’s climate control system. This prompted the district to inspect the other trailers. Three of the four trailers that housed the School 1 pre-K program had mold.
All students and their teachers from all four trailers were moved into the School 1 building.
“The safety and wellbeing of children who attend Paterson Public Schools is always our top priority,” said superintendent Eileen Shafer. “It is unfortunate that this is becoming an increasingly common scenario in schools throughout New Jersey, but I’m glad the problem was discovered early in the school year and that we are working swiftly toward appropriate solutions.”
The district will remove and replace the trailers. It’s cheaper than repairing the units, according to the superintendent.
The city has a series of trailers at Buckley Park that have been described as an eyesore. Former mayor Jose “Joey” Torres purchased the trailers for $1 million. Councilman Michael Jackson has in the past suggested the new trailers be donated to the school district.
“The mayor has not been very receptive,” said Jackson on Wednesday afternoon.
Mayor Andre Sayegh said the city is utilizing the trailers at Buckley Park. He said JumpStart has been running programs and holds an after-school program at the site.
School officials held a meeting for parents and caregivers at 3 p.m. at School 1 to give families relocation options.
Three options were offered. One for students who walk to school. One for students dropped off by car. And one for students who have older siblings at School 1, a pre-K to 5 school.
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Updated at 6 p.m.