Air quality tests at Pleasant Valley Intermediate School have indicated that it is safe for students and staff to return to the building, according to officials.

Superintendent David Piperato sent a message to parents Wednesday morning that students will return Friday and resume their normal schedule.

Thursday will be a work day for teachers.

PVI was set to open Aug. 27, but the presence of mold forced the school building to be closed. The district began classes Aug. 28, with PVE and PVI on a two-day rotation.

PVI students attended classes on Thursday and Tuesday at the elementary building, and PVE students were given those days off.

PVI students were instructed to only bring notebooks and writing utensils and not all of their back-to-school supplies. They carried their backpacks throughout the day.

District officials had estimated that it would take two to three weeks to remediate the mold in the intermediate school. Belfor Property Restorations was hired to conduct mold remediation.

The school board has approved up to $1.2 million for the cost of the remediation. The district has contacted its insurance carrier but Piperato expects only a minor reimbursement if any from insurance.

Piperato said in his message to parents Wednesday morning that the district is looking into what caused the mold at PVI, as well as smaller mold issues at the elementary and high schools.

“The Pleasant Valley school board and administration will continue to investigate the conditions leading to the existence of mold in our buildings and explore methods for eliminating the problem in the future,” Piperato said.