Lexington, August 15, 2025
News Summary
A false alarm triggered a police response at American Leadership Academy, placing K-5 and 6-12 campuses on lockdown. Fortunately, no threats were found. However, ongoing mold issues at the K-5 facility have raised concerns among parents, some of whom have withdrawn their children due to health impacts. A school board meeting is set for August 18, where parents will address these mold concerns, amidst frustrations over communication from school officials.
Lexington — A false alarm incident at American Leadership Academy on Friday morning prompted a significant police response, resulting in both the K-5 and 6-12 campuses being placed on lockdown. The Lexington Police Department quickly confirmed that the intruder alarm was activated inadvertently, likely related to a fire drill that had been conducted earlier that same day. Following a thorough search of classrooms and school grounds, law enforcement reported no credible threats to the safety of students or staff.
Despite the swift resolution of the alarm incident, concerns linger regarding the presence of mold within the K-5 facility. Parents and staff have been vocal about the health implications they attribute to mold in the school, citing that these issues have been ongoing for over a year. Reports indicate that a number of students have withdrawn from the academy due to health-related concerns attributed to mold exposure. One particular incident involves a parent claiming that their child developed pneumonia as a direct result of mold exposure at the school.
Despite reassurance from the school officials that the educational environment remains safe for students, a lack of communication from the school board regarding recent mold testing has left many parents unsatisfied. The Lexington City Schools have acknowledged that a limited number of classrooms displayed signs of mold, primarily due to damaged ceiling tiles resulting from unused air conditioning units during the summer months. District maintenance teams were assigned to clean affected areas, replace damaged tiles, and reactivate air conditioning units, with the completion date projected for Thursday.
Concerned parents are organizing to voice their frustrations at an upcoming school board meeting scheduled for August 18, where they plan to address the mold issues plaguing the academy. They have also submitted images of mold reports that were purportedly gathered at the academy during the summer of 2024.
In a broader context, the mold concerns facing American Leadership Academy echo similar issues reported by residents in various Lexington apartment complexes. Tenants have expressed their frustration over persistent mold complaints and the associated health risks. An anonymous tenant in the Rose Tower Apartments reported significant flooding and ongoing mold issues, stating that management has disregarded these concerns for months.
Experts in the field of mold remediation stress the importance of identifying the type of mold present, as certain colors can indicate specific problems and risks. While the school board spokesperson has indicated there is nothing further to discuss regarding the mold issue at the academy, they have encouraged concerned parents to reach out directly for more information.
FAQ
What was the cause of the police response at American Leadership Academy?
The police response was triggered by a false alarm, likely related to a fire drill that had taken place earlier that morning.
Were there any threats found during the police search?
Law enforcement conducted a thorough sweep of the campuses and found no threats to students or staff.
What mold issues have been reported at the school?
Concerns regarding mold have been reported for over a year, with parents alleging health issues in students and some withdrawing due to these concerns.
Have the school authorities addressed the mold concerns?
The school and district officials have acknowledged the issue but have faced criticism for insufficient communication about mold testing results.
What actions are being taken to resolve the mold issue?
The maintenance team has been assigned to clean affected areas and replace damaged ceiling tiles, with an expected completion date by Thursday.
When is the next school board meeting regarding these issues?
The concerned parents plan to address the mold issues at the upcoming school board meeting on August 18.
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Additional Resources
- WXII12 News
- Wikipedia: Mold
- Fox56 News
- Google Search: mold issues in Lexington
- WACH News
- Google Scholar: mold health effects
- LEX18 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: mold
- WXII12 News
- Google News: mold in apartment buildings Lexington
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The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
