Moisture issue causes West Penn elementary to start in Tamaqua building Tuesday

Tamaqua Area School District is shifting one elementary school for a few days for the start of the 2018-19 school year after a moisture problem was found in the building.

According to a release on the district’s website Wednesday, West Penn Elementary is having a “moisture issue inside the building.”

“The nature of this situation requires the district to remove the excess moisture through specific cleaning recommended by professionals after air quality tests were performed,” the release from Assistant Superintendent Stephen Toth said.

“Keeping the health, safety and well-being of all students and staff in mind, our administration planned a response to this situation.”

The district’s plan for the beginning of the school year, which is scheduled for Monday, includes delaying the start of school for all district elementary students by a day. The high school and middle school are not affected by the plan and will attend school as scheduled.

West Penn Elementary faculty and staff will report to Tamaqua Elementary on Monday and grades kindergarten through fourth grade West Penn students, as well as West Penn autistic support classrooms and ESL will report to Tamaqua Elementary, while West Penn fifth grade and life skills students will report to Tamaqua Area Middle School on Tuesday.

During this time period while West Penn Elementary School is being cleaned, Toth states the district asks that all parent drop offs occur on North Nescopec at Tamaqua Elementary; while bus and van drop-offs will occur at the main entrance of Tamaqua Elementary.

All West Penn walkers should call the transportation office to set up busing if transportation cannot be provided by a parent or guardian.

“Our school board and administration believe that this is the best way to proceed in order to maintain the very best standards for a safe and healthy learning environment for our students,” the release states.