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Boston Globe

‘We shouldn't have to fight for this.' Pembroke teachers plead with district to fix mold issues.

'It (is) hard that I'm not in the classroom doing what I love to do,' she said. Advertisement The The MTA said educators and parents at the district's other four schools allege there also is mold in their schools, though the district has conducted testing in only one other school, Several of the types of mold the district found in the buildings, including Cladosporium and Aspergillus, can cause severe illness, putting those with asthma, weaker immune systems, and mold allergies at higher risk. The district's inaction, the groups state, are part of a broader conflict with the district over alleged hostile work environments and poor treatment of educators and staff. The district declined repeated requests from the Globe for interviews regarding the educators' concerns, or the steps officials have taken to remediate the mold, but in an email, pointed to Such efforts at Hobomock include conducting multiple rounds of air quality testing, vent cleaning, carpet cleaning, and installing air filter units in the building, according to the website. The remediation process involves cleaning and scrubbing the mold where it's visible or cleaning the places that were tested that show it had a strong presence, even if not visible. The district also created a joint labor management committee, comprised of custodians, faculty, a mold specialist, and the schools' health and safety liaison, to brainstorm the best ways to combat the mold. Advertisement The district's website details 'There has been some response, but not to the extent that it needs to be,' said Renée Bock, Pembroke union president and Hobomock fifth-grade teacher. The district's website doesn't indicate that any cases of mold have been found at its other four other campuses, nor does it provide a similarly detailed list of remediation for the other schools. However, the district did show the Globe Pembroke High School had air testing performed in November. Parents and faculty are asking Pembroke administrators for more transparency on the steps being taken to remediate any mold at all five schools to ensure the safety of students, staff, and families. After testing confirmed mold was in her classroom in September 2023, the district initially moved Morris into another classroom in October of that year. Her symptoms subsided, she said. But after remediation, the district, in December of that year, required her to return to her classroom after it was cleaned, where she said she had flare-ups again. Following her physician's medical advice, Morris went on paid sick leave in September of 2024. Advertisement Hobomock parent Elyse Dyment said she has seen wet ceiling tiles when she has entered the building to pick up her son. Her son has been experiencing consistent headaches and has contracted strep throat, and suspects the symptoms are mold related but has not had him tested for mold exposure to confirm whether the symptoms are related. Dyment in October sent a letter to the principal via email that was signed by about 60 parents who raised their own concerns about the mold at the elementary campus. They asked to meet with the superintendent and School Committee. However, the district instead told them that the joint committee was working on the issues via email. 'It's a little bit of a helpless situation because you're being roadblocked everywhere you turn for help,' she said. At according to the MTA. After the walkthrough, the district asked the custodians to clean the surfaces where mold was visible, but the assigned custodians did not feel comfortable cleaning it due to not having what they felt was proper protective equipment. The union wanted respirators and sterilized coveralls, according to a custodian who did the walkthrough. The district did provide the custodians other cleaning materials, including gloves and disinfectants. 'It's your job and your don't want to be insubordinate,' said the custodian, who asked not to be named, fearing his job would be in jeopardy for speaking out against the district. 'It's our health at risk, not theirs.' Advertisement The School Committee did not respond to emailed requests by the Globe for comment. Elise Stansell, who works for the Massachusetts Teachers Association and oversees mold remediation processes between the MTA and local districts, said mold has been confirmed in other districts, including Cohasset, across the state that were adequately addressed within weeks of their initial reports. She wants Pembroke to act with the same kind of urgency. 'We want them to take it seriously,' Stansell said. 'We shouldn't have to fight for this.' Auzzy Byrdsell can be reached at