MEXICO, Maine — RSU 10 Superintendent Deb Alden issued a letter to the school community Tuesday afternoon that the Mountain Valley Middle School is no longer considered a "safe place to work and learn in."
"After meeting this afternoon with Mark Coleman, the Senior Industrial Hygienist from Sevee & Maher Engineers, regarding the latest air quality testing and follow up in MVMS yesterday, it is apparent that most of the building is no longer a healthy place to work and learn in," the letter said.
Alden said a few areas of the school are being further reviewed by Coleman for possible utilization, but the school will not be used for students in the meantime.
"Over the next three days, Oct. 9-11, there will be no school for MVMS students, UNLESS they are currently at Bryant Pond," the letter stated. "Friday, Oct. 11th families, students may come to the building and retrieve personal items, laptops, food, etc."
Alden added that masks will be available for those who wish to wear one while retrieving personal items in the building.
Students are then to begin remote learning on Oct. 15, according to Alden.
"Staff will meet tomorrow [Wednesday] morning at 9:00 in the MVHS auditorium," the letter said. "If you would like to retrieve any of your items from MVMS you may do this tomorrow before the meeting."
According to Alden, further plans and details will be discussed Wednesday morning.
"Additionally, we are brainstorming ideas and exploring multiple locations in order to bring students and staff back together as fast as humanly possible. We will continue to strive to be transparent in our work to provide safe and healthy learning over the next 14 months," the letter said.
The letter did not cite reasons as to why the air quality is unsafe for students and staff.
