Belton High School notifies parents of possible mold in cafeteria kitchen

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — KSHB 41 reporter Ryan Gamboa covers Cass County in Missouri. He also covers agricultural topics. Parents in the Belton School District reached out to Ryan to share this story. Share your story idea with Ryan.

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Parents at Belton High School were notified Wednesday evening that mold is suspected to be present in the Belton High School cafeteria kitchen.

Some parents reached out to KSHB 41 Cass County reporter Ryan Gamboa to notify him of the problem.

The image below was submitted of the kitchen:

KSHB 41

The notice to parents states administrators discovered residue in the kitchen they suspect to be mold.

"We are having the air tested and the area thoroughly cleaned," a district administrator wrote to parents. "All food preparation has stopped until we receive the test results. In the meantime, the food served to students will be prepared at the other school sites in the district."

Jake Weller/KSHB

The Belton School District told KSHB 41, a residue was found in a kitchen it suspects is mold.

"We are having a sample tested to confirm that suspicion and we have not yet received the results," a district spokesperson said. "We have contracted with SanAir Technologies and First OnSite to conduct air quality tests and thoroughly clean and sanitize the space, and their recommendations as mold remediation professionals are guiding our response."

The district is not aware of any illnesses related to this issue.

Cass County Health Department Director Mathew McCall told KSHB 41 by email that his office received a complaint on Thursday regarding the mold "or a similar topic."

McCall explained that an inspection will occur and the department will review corrective actions, if any violations are present.

Ryan Gamboa/KSHB

The Cass County Health Department is not aware of any illnesses attributed to the mold, nor does McCall believe the illnesses are reportable to the health department under Missouri law.

The district wants parents to know that if there are any concerns about their child's health and safety, parents are encouraged to reach out to Belton High School administration.

"he safety of our students and staff is our highest priority, and so no student or staff will enter that space until the cleaning is complete, and we will not resume preparing food in that space until we are sure it is safe to do so," the district spokesperson added in an email.

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