Westwood Elementary passes environmental testing after mold issues delayed first day of school, Friendswood ISD says
Students only missed four school days due to the mold issue, the district said.
FRIENDSWOOD, Texas (KTRK) -- An elementary school affected by mold has passed an environmental inspection and will welcome students from summer vacation four days behind schedule.
The Friendswood Independent School District shared an update on the mold infestation at Westwood Elementary on Friday, sharing that students will return on Aug. 24.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Campus officials report mold inside Westwood Elementary, delaying 2026 school start: Friendswood ISD
District officials maintained open communication since the discovery of the mold on Aug. 5, and in an update on Aug. 11, the district said it anticipated having students back on campus by Aug. 24.
On Friday, FISD announced that the school had met all air quality and environmental standards and was ready to reopen.
Teachers and staff will return to the school on Wednesday to prepare for the students and will not need to hold Kinder Camp and Meet the Teacher events, as these already took place at students' homes.
According to district officials, only four days of instruction were lost. Two of those days are covered by the district's existing instructional minutes, and FISD said that it will request a 2-day waiver from the Texas Education Agency so that the school does not have to hold make-up days.
