SALISBURY, Md. - Salisbury Middle School reopened Tuesday morning after crews investigated an odor issue over the weekend.
The school was evacuated a week ago after reports of an unfamiliar smell. School officials said about 10 students and staff members became sick with upset stomachs and headaches, which was believed to be related to the odor.
The school was closed Friday for further investigation.
Salisbury Middle posted a lengthy update on its Facebook Monday, detailing action that was taken to investigate the odor. The post reads:
"Thank you to our SMS school family for understanding and supporting the step to close school to students on Friday for further investigation and remediation of the odor issue that arose last week. We have an update from this weekend’s activities to address the odor in the building.
Activities included the following:
Environmental specialists were brought in from Sussex Environmental Services
Additionally, there were teams onsite from the Health Department, Royal Plus, Jet Carpet, Stanley Steamer, and Facilities
Thorough inspections were completed of the roof, duct work, air handlers, mezzanine areas, equipment rooms, ceiling areas, and the perimeter of the building
Inspections were completed of the existing tunnels from the original Salisbury High School that lead throughout the property and over to the now transportation and facilities buildings
One hole was drilled into the floor and one hole was created in a bathroom wall by removing a urinal – these areas inside the wall were inspected
Inspections of numerous classrooms occurred as well as the gym and media center
8 samples for mold testing were taken by Sussex Environmental
2 areas were swabbed for testing by the Health Dept
Air quality samples were taken in all areas of the school
Ceiling tiles were completely removed in 1 hallway and were removed and replaced as needed throughout the school
Carpet in C-wing entrance/exit was removed and will be replaced
Remediation steps that were taken this weekend:
Jet Carpet cleaned the media center carpet and all entrance areas
Stanley Steamer cleaned all air ducts in the entire school
Royal Plus discharged a disinfectant gas that kills all possible mold, mold spores, bacteria, and fungus as well as mitigates the smells associated with them.
Facilities staff thoroughly cleaned all floors and wiped down everything throughout the school
Air handlers and duct work were completely cleaned and disinfected.
It is important to note that in all of the testing and the inspections, nothing was found. All tests for the mold spore levels were not elevated and were at normal levels. There were two potential sources of the odor, one being a C-wing bathroom and the second being stored lumber in the tech ed room. Additional work has been completed in both of these areas to solve any issues."
Wicomico County Public Schools said a report that includes and breaks down test results is being compiled and will be released to the public in a few days.