Del Sur Elementary families learned Oct. 19 that their children will not return to campus until at least July 9, 2027, six months later than the district's previous January target.

The Poway Unified School District said a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and expanded mold remediation are driving the delay, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune. The district posted the update on the school's website the same day.

The 840 Del Sur students who have been attending classes about 3 miles away at Stone Ranch Elementary in 4S Ranch since August will remain there through the school year. Stone Ranch, which has about 550 students of its own, added portable classrooms to handle the overflow.

Mold was discovered at the 18-year-old campus in July, shortly before the school year was set to begin Aug. 13. What was announced as a temporary relocation lasting a few weeks stretched to a January target, then to July.

What inspectors found

An independent assessment by SOCOTEC US between Sept. 30 and Oct. 8 found microbial growth on chilled-water pipe insulation on portions of the first floor, water staining on pipe insulation throughout the buildings and elevated moisture in mechanical closets, according to the district's website. The assessment found no evidence of Stachybotrys chartarum, commonly known as "black mold."

Those findings, combined with the campus's history of temperature and humidity problems, led the district to recommend replacing the entire HVAC system rather than repairing it.

$1.47 million and counting

As of early September, district officials estimated the Del Sur remediation costs at $1.47 million, the Union-Tribune reported. An additional $326,000 was estimated for a separate mold issue at Black Mountain Middle School. The district said it is pursuing insurance coverage and state facility hardship funding. Updated cost figures are expected at the Nov. 5 board meeting.

District spokesperson Steven Baratte said costs and options will be discussed when the Poway Unified School District Board of Education meets at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, in the district office community room at 15250 Avenue of Science in Carmel Mountain Ranch.

The proposed construction schedule calls for design work this fall, submission to the Division of the State Architect (DSA) in December through January, targeted approval in February and construction from March through June. The district cautioned that the July 9 date remains a planning target dependent on approvals, equipment delivery and environmental clearance.

Parents voice frustration

Kristen Montan, a Del Sur parent who created the Facebook page "Fighting the Mold at DSE" in July 2024, told the Union-Tribune she raised mold concerns with the district that year. She said teachers had seen visible mold on walls and window sills and that janitors cleaned it up and were told conditions were fine.

Montan said most parents are relieved their children are out of the building but frustrated with the district. She said some families have moved their children to other campuses or left the district entirely.

Brett Davis, identified by Fox 5 as a parent and Poway school board candidate, said the 18-year-old school should not be having these problems. "There are a lot of irate parents," Davis told Fox 5.

The district also plans to hold a community information meeting with environmental, mechanical and architectural experts at a date not yet announced. The Nov. 5 board meeting is open to the public.