RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- After multiple Richmond schools began the school year with mold issues, Richmond Public Schools (RPS) Superintendent Jason Kamras is praising the community's response Friday morning. As the 2026-27 school year was set to begin, elevated mold levels were found inside Barack Obama Elementary School, as well as Bellevue Elementary, causing both schools to shut down for cleaning. Frances W. McClelleney Elementary was also in the process of being tested for possible mold as of late August. In a statement to the Richmond community the morning of Friday, Sept. 11, Kamras thanked PTAs, community members, volunteers and donors who supported Barack Obama Elementary teachers and students during the mold discoveries. Kamras shared the following statement in part: "The mold crisis has thrown a lot at them, and they've handled it with grace — showing up every day and putting our kids first. They've been our shining stars, and we see them. To everyone who has stood with us — neighboring schools, PTAs, community organizations, parents, and supporters — thank you. And to all of the parents and caregivers, thank you for being flexible, adapting to difficult circumstances, and being so understanding and supportive throughout all of this. You've shown us what community really looks like, and we won't forget it." Kamras also thanked Barack Obama Elementary principal Jacqueline Drye and the school's PTO president Mallery Carter-Hicks. "The community at large came together, showing what 'it takes a village' truly looks like in RPS," Kamras added. Barack Obama Elementary reopened on Thursday, Sept. 3, after completing mold remediation and cleanup, delaying the start of its academic year by two weeks. However, Kamras did not mention Belleve Elementary, which reopened on Thursday, Sept. 10. He previously said in early September that school officials would present an after-action report and other protocols at the October school board meeting. ...read more read less