MEMPHIS, Tenn. — ABC24 has obtained records of the complaints sent to the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) about issues at Peabody Elementary School which led to its closing for the school year.
Peabody is expected to remain closed until at least fall 2024 after Memphis-Shelby County Schools said mold was found following storms.
MSCS announced the school year closure on Oct. 6, but according to the documents from OSHA, MSCS had known by Sept. 26 that the school would likely be closed until at least spring of 2024.
Timeline of events
According to OSHA, the department received an online complaint dated Aug. 30, 2023, about “mold in all the vents” that is “literally visible to everyone.” It also stated that there was not a working fire alarm, and there was even a fire drill that some of the staff were not aware of because there was no alarm. The complaint also stated there was not a working intercom system to alert staff about lockdowns or other emergencies. The complaint alleged the issues were brought to the attention of MSCS, and said the principal had requested repairs, but nothing was done about it by the district.
According to a letter from OSHA to Memphis-Shelby County Schools dated Aug. 30, the department notified MSCS about the complaint, and advised they needed a response within five days about actions being taken.
OSHA showed a second online complaint dated Sept. 5 which stated that staff and students had been exposed and gotten sick due to mold in the school, and nothing had been done.
A letter from MSCS to OSHA dated Sept. 6 said the district had investigated and found “extreme humidity” in a couple of rooms and plans to clean up any “reoccurring mold” as well as address HVAC system causing moisture issues. The letter said repairs were being made to the intercom system, and they would follow up once that was done. It stated a work order was created for the fire alarm and parts were ordered for repairs, however MSCS said it was monitored and “will still dispatch to MFD.”
MSCS announced mold had been found on Sept. 7, and the school was closed the next day. The district said mold was detected in first floor vents and grates. The second and third floors of the school were not affected, MSCS said at the time, but they did check that ductwork and air quality out of an abundance of caution. MSCS said work would be done over the weekend to remove the mold and clean the affected areas.
The school remained closed however, and on Sept. 14, Peabody Elementary students began attending classes at Middle College High School on E. Parkway, which was supposed to last until fall break. Pre-K students were moved to W.H. Brewster Elementary on Sam Cooper Blvd.
In an email to OSHA dated Sept. 26, MSCS’s Office of Risk Management sent a repair proposal to the agency and said the projected work would begin the week of Dec. 10, but work on the intercom and fire alarm would have to wait until after that work was done due to the building being closed for mold remediation. That letter stated the projected reopening of the building as spring of 2024.
The proposal included in the OSHA file was from Aaron Patrick Architects for renovation and repairs to Peabody Elementary, which included mold abatement, replacing flooring and ceiling tiles, replacing ductwork and more that are affected by mold, upgrading lighting, painting, and HVAC work. The proposal said the work would cost about $185,000.
It wasn’t until Oct. 6, just before fall break was to begin, that MSCS announced in a letter to Peabody Elem. and Middle College High School parents that Peabody would remain closed the rest of the school year. MSCS said Peabody students would continue to attend Middle College High School.
On Oct. 9, 2023, OSHA responded in a letter that the file has been closed as MSCS addresses the matter, however the complainant would be able to review the response once the work was completed.
Response from MSCS
ABC24 reached out to MSCS for a response to the OSHA documents, and we were sent the letter sent to parents on Oct. 6, which can be read in full HERE.