Parents Plan Protest, Lawsuit Over Mold Found in Elementary School Classroom

Parents in the Coachella Valley Unified School District are planning a protest later this morning, demanding greater transparency and action after mold was discovered inside a classroom at John Kelley Elementary School.

The protest and press conference are scheduled for 8:30 a.m. outside the district headquarters in Thermal. Parents say the event is meant to bring attention to what they describe as a long-standing issue that has not been fully disclosed or addressed by the district.

According to the district, concerns first surfaced in December after teachers and parents reported a foul odor coming from a classroom used by students with special needs. CVUSD hired Safeguard EnviroGroup to inspect the space, and a remediation report confirmed the presence of mold in multiple areas of the classroom.

District officials say they took appropriate steps to resolve the issue. In a written statement, CVUSD said it assessed the entire campus and completed all remediation, post-remediation verification, and construction work during winter break before classrooms reopened. The district also stated that indoor air quality testing did not show elevated mold levels and that results were comparable to, or better than, outdoor baseline air.

However, attorneys representing affected families dispute that claim, saying the problem dates back several years. They allege the district had prior knowledge of ongoing mold contamination and failed to act quickly or effectively to protect students—particularly those in special education classrooms.

During the press conference, attorneys are expected to present evidence of mold contamination, outline claims of prior district awareness, and call for accountability, transparency, and immediate action. The attorney representing the families has also confirmed that a lawsuit is now being prepared against the district.

Parents say the protest is only the beginning and that they will continue pushing for answers and safeguards for students.

More details from the press conference and protest—and the district’s response—will be covered later today during the midday newscast.