Cherokee Schools Address Concerns Over Mobile Classrooms
Questions remain about the condition of classroom trailers after photos and videos show “mold, mildew, rotted wood and flooring, wet insulation.”
Documentary evidence from a concerned whistleblower on social media allegedly depicts various safety and health concerns about the conditions of mobile classrooms outside of Hickory Flat Elementary School. Visuals were posted to Facebook on the Cherokee County School District Unofficial Community Group on June 22, 2023. The concerned individual included this message with their post:
Attention HFES parents:
These photos were taken TODAY, June 22, 2023. They are photos showing the inside of two of the three “new” mobile classrooms that are being installed at Hickory Flat ES for the upcoming school year.
I’m sure CCSD plans to “fix them up” but you’re looking at mold, mildew, rotted wood and flooring, wet insulation. A coat of paint isn’t going to cut it here.
This doesn’t only concern HFES students and parents. You can guarantee that if the trailers being set up at HFES look like this, the ones on other school sites are also disturbing if we peel back the layers.
The post's anonymity was upheld, but it was authenticated by group administrator Emily Compson Trenbeath and acknowledged, with some qualifications, by a response from Trey Moores, a representative of the Cherokee school district:
We’re aware there are some videos and photos being shared on social media that claim to show the interior of a Hickory Flat ES mobile classroom. The videos and photos aren’t of any mobile classrooms in use at any CCSD school - we would not allow any mobiles in that condition to be used. There are several mobile classrooms currently stationed at the Hickory Flat ES campus for inspection and possible renovation. Before we determine if they can be used, any mold found must be removed, with full remediation and passage of an air quality inspection. This may also include replacement of any affected flooring, drywall and roofing structures. Any mobile classroom brought online must pass an air quality test (including mold), fire marshal inspection and permitting for occupancy through the County. All of this work will occur over the next month. Please also share that we would ask that community members not trespass in school facilities due to obvious safety/security reasons.
Thanks,
Trey Moores
Chief Support Services Officer
Division of Support Services
As per Moores’ comments, occupancy permits must be in place before mobile classrooms can be used. These permits raise several important questions: Where are the occupancy certificates kept? Are they publicly available for review? How frequently are inspections for these certificates conducted? How extensive are these inspections and who carries them out? The superintendent should clarify these issues.
The anonymous whistleblower responded: “This is absolutely a lie from Trey Moores. The units have been installed and halves assembled together, plus there are items inside from previous use as classrooms like shelves and boxes PLUS a kiddie pool under a leaking roof.” The whistleblower later added:
These aren’t trailers the county just bought. They were previously in use at another CCSD elementary school but idk which school or how long ago. So I ultra don’t believe they brought them to HFES and assembled for “inspection” when anyone with two eyeballs can tell on sight that these aren’t habitable.
The whistleblower's assertions call attention to potential discrepancies in the process. I will attempt to ascertain if the trailers were indeed previously used, which school(s) they came from, and how long ago they were in use. We need more clarification to ensure the school district is fulfilling its stated commitment to the safety and health of its students.
This is a developing story. Future updates will aim to answer these questions and provide more detailed information.