RICHMOND, Va. -- A Richmond middle school needs volunteers to help pack up everything inside and move to another school building.
Elkhardt Middle School is closing due to an unsafe indoor air quality issue which a school board member said was caused by mold.
Students and staff will be relocated a little more than four miles away to Clark Springs Elementary School, to ensure their health and safety. They will remain there for the duration of the 2014-2015 school year.
"I'm very concerned about this,' said parent Monique Clements. "This is last minute and I wonder how long it's been going on in the school; so it's just ridiculous."
As for transportation, school officials said that students who walk to Elkhardt Middle will be bussed from school to Clark Springs Elementary.
"It's going to be an inconvenience to a lot of parents trying to get their kids back and forth," said Clements. "And a lot of parents don't have transportation."
School officials admit there will be challenges involved with a large-scale move, but are optimistic it will be a smooth transition.
Here is how the volunteer move will work, according to Project coordinator, Garet Prior:
- Thursday Feb. 12 - Last day of classes at Elkhardt Middle School
- Friday Feb. 13 - Teacher work day. Teachers, staff and volunteers will be packing the entire school into boxes.
- Monday Feb. 16 - President's Day. Will be used to prepare for Tuesday.
- Tuesday Feb. 17 - Unpack boxes at Clarks Springs Elementary and prep classrooms for students to return.
If you want to help with the emergency move sign up online to volunteer here.
