Union High School in La Porte City where the district's offices are located. TELEGRAPH FILE PHOTO

LA PORTE CITY – The Union Community School District continues to take steps to address the mold that was recently discovered at the high school.

Professional mitigation measures have been implemented in the past week after air quality assessments found elevated levels of mold spores in the high school’s band and choir rooms and some accompanying spaces, as well as two classrooms. The cause has been attributed to the school’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems not being able to adequately regulate moisture levels.

“Safety is always our top priority,” Superintendent John Howard said. “As soon as we learned of the issue, we took action to contain the affected areas and begin the cleaning process. We want our community to know that we are committed to creating a safe and healthy environment for learning for all our students and staff.”

Four staff members were displaced by the mold remediation work and are now using different areas of the building. Several items belonging to the district’s music department were also discarded due to mold exposure. This includes all of the concert band’s tuxedo shirts, the marching band’s shoes, garment bags, and some of the Union Carolers’ handmade costumes.

The district was able to salvage some items that are in the process of being cleaned, including the concert choir’s robes, concert band apparel, marching band uniforms, and costumes used for show choir concerts, musicals, and small-group performances.

The oldest portions of Union High School date to the 1950s and the school’s HVAC systems are outdated. Union CSD residents will consider approving a general obligation bond referendum on November 4, 2025, that would fund improvements at all of the district’s attendance centers, including replacement of Union High School’s HVAC systems.

“By modernizing the high school’s outdated infrastructure and systems, we can prevent similar problems and property damage from occurring,” Howard said.

More details about the bond referendum for Union CSD are available at www.uknighted4u.org.