When mold was discovered at Hannah Caldwell Elementary School, the district took swift action to keep students safe, and it led to a sudden yet organized relocation.
The mold issue surfaced when it was found in and around the school library.
This discovery prompted immediate testing by a Board of Education-approved contractor, which confirmed signs of water damage and moisture in nearby areas.
The contractor reported that certain sections of the school would need closure for thorough cleaning and repairs.
In response, the district mobilized over a dozen workers, who arrived Saturday morning to get started.
Initially, they tried to keep things running by moving classrooms within the building.
Classrooms 174 and 175, for instance, were relocated to the gym, which was divided into two temporary classrooms.
Gym classes moved outside to Rabkin Park field to keep physical education going or were held in students’ classrooms as health lessons.
Classroom 167 was temporarily moved to the Sensory Room, and additional substitute teachers were brought in to help.
Despite these adjustments, it quickly became apparent that a temporary school-wide closure was necessary.
Last Friday, the district closed Hannah Caldwell Elementary and implemented a plan to relocate students to other schools across Union so that they could continue learning in person.
Superintendent Gerry Benaquista assured parents that remote learning was not considered, as they believed in-person learning was best for the student’s educational experience and well-being.
Starting Wednesday, October 30, students were bused from Hannah Caldwell to designated spaces in schools across Union.
The district arranged this carefully to ensure minimal disruption and provided families with the bus schedule ahead of time.
Each grade level was assigned to a specific school or area:
- Kindergarteners headed to Union High School, where they used the library, library classrooms, and classroom G123.
- First graders were welcomed into the library at Jefferson Elementary.
- Second graders found their temporary classroom in the gym at Kawameeh Middle School.
- Third graders used the small gym at Union High School.
- Fourth graders were placed in the big gym at Burnet Middle School.
- Special education programs were set up in the EDP Room at Union High School and CFES.
- Pre-K students were spread across Livingston Elementary, Battle Hill Elementary, Washington Elementary, and Franklin Elementary, all using gym spaces for their activities.
Although this relocation plan allowed students to keep up with their routines and studies, Superintendent Benaquista clarified that this situation was temporary.
The district couldn’t say exactly how long the cleanup and repairs would take, but they were committed to working quickly to ensure a safe return.
Benaquista also planned a meeting with parents and staff from Hannah Caldwell, where he promised to provide updates on the remediation efforts and address any questions or concerns.
The school community was encouraged to stay informed through official updates rather than relying on rumors.
Throughout the process, the district’s priority was the safety and well-being of its students and staff, and they assured families that they would continue to share information as it became available.
The goal was to keep things as smooth and supportive as possible, given the circumstances, and the district looked forward to welcoming students back to their home school as soon as conditions allowed.
