The design of the HVAC unit is suspected to be the cause of the mold problem in the Pleasant Valley Intermediate School, Josh Woolen of Belfor Restoration Services and Hillman told the board Thursday night.

It seems that the combination of high humidity and rain this summer led to an excess amount of moisture being drawn in by the units, which led to higher levels of humidity in some parts of the buildings.

Belfor and Hillman will be providing the district with proposals to help avoid similar problems in the future.

Director Ken Cocuzzo commented that mold will most definitely be the main topic at the next property committee meeting as well as the building and grounds meeting.

Pleasant Valley Superintendent David Piperato said that the final cost has not yet been obtained.

On Thursday evening Piperato took the first few minutes of the meeting to thank “the many members of our school community who made positive contributions throughout the ongoing challenge of mold remediation in the district.”

Piperato thanked Travis Serfass, the director of building and grounds, and his custodial and maintenance employees for “their hard work, determination and flexibility,” during the entire process.

Piperato said those employees in particular had contributed an incredible amount of work to keep the buildings open as well as their efforts to move the materials necessary for Pleasant Valley Intermediate School to operate out of Pleasant Valley Elementary School during the first two weeks of school.

Piperato also thanked the staff and faculty of PVI and PVE for their professionalism, flexibility and commitment to the students.

He thanked all of the administration for their professionalism as well, and made a point of calling out PVI’s new Principal Todd Breiner and new Assistant Principal Kendal Askins for meeting the challenges of opening PVI under the circumstances.

The administrative staff of PVE was also given thanks for the support and assistance provided to PVI to make the swing schedule a success.

Piperato concluded his statement by expressing his thanks to the parents and students for “remaining patient and understanding throughout this ordeal.”

The remediation efforts were wrapped up on Sept. 4 and all schools are currently open and operating on a normal schedule.