Edmund J. O’Neal School of Excellence will reopen for in-person instruction for all students beginning next Tuesday, May 24. This includes all students in the Albany International Center and Dual Language programs, as well as the building’s self-contained special education students.

The work to restore and update the building following April water damage, including mold remediation, will be completed on schedule by the end of this week. Testing by an independent mold remediation firm this week has confirmed that the building is cleared to reopen.

The one area that will remain closed for the rest of the school year is the library. A mold remediation project in that space will be completed during the summer. The library will remain locked and contained in alignment with abatement regulations until the work is completed this summer. Elementary students will continue to receive library instruction in their classrooms through the end of the school year. 

Schedule for building return

Teachers and staff will return to the building Monday to prepare their learning spaces. There will be no instruction for students Monday. 

The building will host an open house for students and families on Monday evening from 4:30-6 p.m. The open house will begin with a presentation by the district and an opportunity for questions about the work that was completed over the past four weeks.

All students will return to school in-person at O’Neal beginning Tuesday morning at the regular start times (8:30 a.m. for grades 6-12, and 9 a.m. for prekindergarten-grade 5). All regular transportation services will be in place for O’Neal students at that time.

You can click here for more information about the work that has been done to restore the building following the water leak that occurred in a third-floor bathroom during spring recess in April.

“We know these last few weeks have been a significant inconvenience for our families and presented many challenges for everyone in our school community,” said O’Neal Principal Rachel Stead. “We appreciate your patience and support throughout this process, and we are confident that all of our students, faculty and staff will be returning to a school building that will feel very much new and improved. 

“On behalf of our entire O’Neal team, we are looking forward to welcoming everyone back next week and enjoying a positive end to our school year over the next month.”