SAINT JOSEPH, Ill. ( WCIA) — St. Joseph-Ogden High School is dealing with more than the usual back-to-school routines. Mold was found in the building and administrators said they’ve shut down a wing to try to bring the mold levels down.

The superintendent said a few teachers did feel some allergy-like symptoms, such as a scratchy throat or runny nose, but no one got seriously sick.

Administrators said a teacher noticed mold around a few desks and ceiling vents on Aug. 12. They called in experts and shut down the south wing of the building on Aug. 13.

Students came to school for their first full day of classes the next day.

Senior Sophia Kasper said the closure hasn’t affected her learning.

“[Administrators] talked to us a lot about it, and they told us like to come to them with anything,” Kasper said. “They’ve been super cool about it and everything. So, I think it’s been all handled really well and it’s not been too stressful on the school year or anything.”  

Administrators said it isn’t toxic, but it’s known as a nuisance mold.

The high school has been getting rid of the mold for the past couple weeks and has already cleared a section of the south wing. They said it may have spread because of a leaky H-VAC compressor, and another that failed. Both of those have been fixed and they are hoping to get the rest of the mold cleaned up in the next few weeks.