Hoggard High School moving to remote learning Monday amid campus remediation

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Hoggard High School students will learn remotely Monday, Sept. 28, as additional cleaning, remediation, testing and assessment work continues across the campus.

New Hanover County Schools Superintendent Dr. Christopher Barnes announced the remote learning day in a message to Hoggard families Thursday.

According to Barnes, Hoggard consists of five buildings, with cleaning, remediation or assessment work taking place across the campus.

The main building and back building are being scheduled for industrial cleaning. The work will include deep cleaning, HEPA-filtered vacuuming, HVAC filter replacement and inspection, dehumidification, HEPA air filtration where appropriate and a professional assessment of ductwork.

Areas requiring remediation will be contained using sealed barriers and negative air pressure while work is underway, according to the district.

A professional industrial cleaning company with approximately 24 crew members is expected to work in shifts through the weekend. Additional district custodial staff will assist beginning Monday.

The district says two additional classrooms in the main building and library have been identified for remediation and will be contained while that work is completed.

Remediation is also ongoing in the science building. The district expects the remediation, post-remediation testing and results, and eventual student return to take approximately two weeks based on the current timeline.

In the cafeteria building, post-remediation testing is scheduled for Friday. The district expects additional information early next week and currently anticipates reopening that building early next week.

No concerns have been reported in the back building, according to the district. HVAC maintenance there was completed approximately two weeks ago.

The gym building has newer HVAC systems, but the district says inspections and an assessment of the HVAC systems serving those spaces will continue.

Environmental professionals will conduct testing and sampling following remediation work, along with additional inspections and assessments. The district says those results and professional recommendations will be used to determine when spaces are appropriate to return to normal use.

Students will receive assignments and instructions from their teachers for Monday’s remote learning day.

SAT testing and volleyball will continue as scheduled Saturday, Sept. 26.