Students at Kentucky school don surgical masks to protect against school's mold problem

Students at Tates Creek High School in Kentucky wore surgical masks during their Monday morning classes to draw attention to the poor air quality and toxicity in the school.

While the school is slated for a renovation in 2020, students say something needs to be done today, The Lexington Herald Leader reported.

“We’re protesting Fayette County and not our school administration itself,” said student Danica Moon.

The district claims that they've done extensive testing and that there are no current health and safety threats, but students disagree. During last week's Fayette School Board meeting, a teacher and parent both expressed concerns over mold and poor air quality they said are making staff and students ill.

“That mold has been in the vents for years on end," student Blake Francis said. "We have no idea how many total people have been exposed to the mold, but all we know it is a lot. People with asthma and other conditions all go to the Creek which may not be the best combination with the mold. What will it take before (the school district) takes a plan of action? The mold problem at Tates Creek isn’t secluded to a room or a hallway either, the mold can be found in random tiles in the ceiling in rooms scattered throughout the school.”

Fellow student Kaylin Hassur said that she was affected by the air quality and knew other classmates were as well, so her mother encouraged her to act.

“If it’s not fixed until 2020, that’s way too late,” she said.

Myron Thompson, the district's COO, noted that the district has prioritized renovations for the school, which will include new heating and air conditioning units. However, that priority doesn't come before 2020 as part of larger set of renovations. It won't be fully completed until 2022.

Moon posted a protest meme to her Instagram Sunday night to spread the word about the students' concerns.

Please spread!! #tchsmold Masks will be passed out in the tunnel in the morning and in the library. But bring your own if you can! And remember who this protest is against- FCPS, not TC. Be considerate, hostility has no place in this!

A post shared by Danica Moon (@aggressivelypacifist) on Jan 28, 2018 at 10:07am PST