The first day of school at Northwestern Lehigh Middle School may pushed back at least two more days because of a mold problem, officials said in a message to parents over the weekend.

School was originally scheduled to start on Monday, but administrators postponed it after they discovered mildew in the lower wing of the school last week. Air quality tests late last week revealed higher-than-acceptable levels of mold spores in some classrooms on the lower level.

Mold remediation efforts are currently underway, but progressing slower than initially anticipated, Superintendent Jennifer Holman said in an email to families sent out on Saturday.

The message said there is a “good possibility” that the school will remain closed through Thursday.

“While I fully understand the inconvenience this causes for you and your family, please know that we are focusing on safety to make the best possible decisions for our students and staff,” Holman’s email said.

The rest of the schools in the district held the first day of school as scheduled on Monday. The middle school remained closed as remediation work continued.

A contractor completing mold remediation has only completed half of the lower wing, and the other half won’t be completed until Thursday, Holman said.

Air scrubbers needed to be run for 48 hours in that section of the school before they could be moved to the other half.

Custodial staff are helping clean books and materials from classrooms that are affected by mold.

The district still plans to test air quality in the lower wing Tuesday night, but they are making plans if the school can’t reopen.

If the school remains closed through Friday, the district will apply for four Act 80 professional development days. Students wouldn’t have to make up those four missed days and could end school with the rest of the district.

Teachers and office staff are being relocated to the high school, so parents will be unable to reach the school office by phone.

Parents can use the staff directory (https://www.nwlehighsd.org/domain/78), or call the district office at 610-298-8661, ext. 1201.

Middle school parent information night, originally scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed until a future date to be determined.

Holman said the district will continue to post updates on its website and social media accounts, and thanked parents for their patience and flexibility.