Mold Crisis Keeps San Diego Elementary Closed Until Early 2027

When the bell rang for the last time at Del Sur Elementary in late August, teachers and students thought they'd be back in their own classrooms by September 21. Instead, a sour smell and visible growth on walls turned a routine reopening into a public‑health nightmare.

Testing firm Air America, hired by the Poway Unified School District, scoped out 17 spots inside the school last July. Six of those areas lit up with mold spores – a finding the district could not ignore. The CDC warns that damp, mold‑laden environments can trigger headaches, respiratory issues, skin irritation, and even exacerbate conditions like ADHD.

“Our priority is a safe, supportive learning environment,” the district said in a statement, adding that if the building is cleared sooner, kids will be allowed back sooner. But the reality is that remediation is a painstaking process: replacing HVAC filters, scrubbing surfaces, sealing leaks, and then retesting to make sure the invisible invader is truly gone.

Meanwhile, families are feeling the squeeze. Kristen Montan, whose daughter has spent two and a half years at Del Sur, told local media that her child's health took a sharp turn after prolonged exposure. “She started getting headaches multiple times a week, stomachaches, insomnia, and skin rashes,” Montan recounted, noting that lab work later showed four different types of mold in her child's system.

Even a teacher, worried about the classroom air, ran an independent test and found the same toxic black molds identified in the students’ health reports. The findings have fueled a petition demanding accountability from the district and faster action to safeguard children.

While the district set up a temporary home for the displaced learners at nearby Stone Ranch Elementary, the extended closure means a longer commute, disrupted routines, and added stress for both parents and staff. Yet officials argue the extra time is necessary to avoid a repeat of the health fallout that already harmed several students.

As January 2027 looms on the calendar, the community watches closely, hoping the remediation crews will finally eradicate the mold and allow the doors of Del Sur Elementary to swing open again – this time, for good.