BURLINGTON, N.C. — The Alamance-Burlington School System on Saturday pushed back the start of classes to Sept. 11 as the district continues to deal with toxic mold found on campuses.


What You Need To Know

  • The start of classes for the Alamance-Burlington School System was delayed after toxic mold was found at some campuses

  • The district has pushed back the first day of school to Sept. 11

  • The delayed start of school has left parents to find other arrangements for their children

Testing on Friday revealed the possibility of mold at more schools, the district stated in a news release Saturday, noting that more than 25 have been affected.

Parents have said that last week was stressful, as they had expected their children to return to school and are unsure when classes might begin.

Brandy Whitaker has enrolled her two children in summer camp, an unexpected cost for her family.

“We have them at two separate camps as well, because our younger son is only 4 and because he hasn't actually started school yet,” she said. “Most summer camps in this area do not allow for anyone that is not a rising kindergartner to attend them.”

She’s working three jobs and owns two small businesses with her husband while taking care of two young kids. The discovery of mold at schools has been hard on the children, she says.

“They have been on a kind of roller coaster of a schedule this week and haven't had any consistency where we had expected them to be back in school,” Whitaker said.“They have been on a kind of roller coaster of a schedule this week and haven't had any consistency where we had expected them to be back in school,” Whitaker said.

She says it’s sad because her children are excited for school.

“I have a pre-K who would be a pre-K child, and he has been so excited for big kid school this week. And the fact that I had to tell him I'm so sorry, like the adults dropped the ball. He has been devastated,” Whitaker said. “He's had behavioral issues this week because he's not in a comfortable space where he thought he was going to be.”

The school system has asked for patience as workers test and clean up mold.

Whitaker says the school system has been more proactive.

“I want people to finally realize our children can't speak for themselves. So we as parents have to advocate for them. And that starts with funding our schools. That starts with making sure that they're in healthy and safe environments,” she said. “And we absolutely cannot do that with the people that we've entrusted to make those decisions.”

The school district has said the health and safety of students and staff is a priority and that the air quality at all schools will be tested.

“We believe this brief postponement is necessary to open schools under safe conditions,” the district stated Saturday.

The district said it was working to set up locations to serve free and reduced-cost meals and would announce the sites on Monday.