April 30, 2026 Update
Here are the latest updates regarding the Martin Warren facilities, including the recent timeline of events:
On Thursday, April 23rd we received the results of the air quality testing from Wednesday, April 22nd. The hygienist from our third-party provider did not recommend reentry of students.
On Friday, April 24th students continued to use AMI and learned virtually at home. Teachers and staff along with administration and the district maintenance team began moving items out of Martin Warren classrooms, gathered tables and chairs, and began moving into Northside Christian Church and First Baptist Church. Students began in-person learning on Monday, April 27th.
Over the weekend of April 25th and 26th ServPro began more in depth mitigation of the building including pulling up carpeting which led to discovering three layers of floor tile in rooms 113 and 114. Asbestos testing was conducted and the bottom two layers of floor tiles were positive. Testing occurred in other areas of the building; however, these are the only two rooms that require asbestos abatement. No other areas were positive for asbestos.
This week ServPro collected bids from asbestos abatement companies and a vendor was selected. The vendor will begin work on Friday and Saturday to clean out the affected area from asbestos.
ServPro will resume their work as soon as possible. Once ServPro completes their work another air quality test will be conducted. The results of that test will indicate if students and staff may return to the building.
At this moment there is not an exact timeline for returning to Martin Warren. Each stage in the process cannot begin until the previous stage is completed. Hopefully everything goes smoothly and by May 8th we would know if we are closer to returning to Martin Warren. We will provide an update around the middle of next week or when the next air quality test is ready to begin.
Unrelated to our relocation of Martin Warren is the radon issue there. When we return to Martin Warren the basement will remain closed. All areas on the first and second floor tested below the 4.0pCi/L threshold and will continue to be used. Summer school will take place at Sterling Elementary this summer so that the radon mitigation professionals can install a system in the basement June 8th through June 19th. The building will be ready for full occupancy by August.
For MAP testing we will be busing students to Ridge View Elementary or Maple Grove Elementary during the school day. The temporary internet capabilities at our alternative locations are not able to meet the needs for classes of students to take the online state assessments.
We appreciate Northside Christian Church and the First Baptist Church for hosting our students. We also want to thank all the places in town that reached out to offer space for our students. There were many factors in our decision-making such as:
Being able to place fully grade levels together to use as few locations as possible
Needs of special education students
Size of potential learning spaces for the number of students in the classrooms
Ability for outdoor activities or activities in common spaces
Parking
Ability to handle car rider drop off and pick up as well as enough room for buses to move smoothly through the area
Security of the facility
Use of the space outside of school hours requiring teachers and staff to set up, tear down, and reset each day.
We know that it is difficult for so many to not know what will happen next. Unfortunately, we have to operate on the timelines of other agencies to complete their tasks. However, we certainly appreciate the urgency from ServPro, Titan, and all the groups we have worked with to keep moving as quickly and as safely as possible.
Thank you to everyone for your patience, and if there are questions we can answer please reach out.
April 17, 2026 Update
Radon - Parents' Informational Session
Recording link: https://stateofmo.webex.com/stateofmo/ldr.php?RCID=2d2968bf99d353af6321f46491f74fc5
April 14, 2026 Update
On Friday, ServPro began their walkthrough and evaluation of Martin Warren. They inspected the affected areas identified by Titan (the testing company) and began initial services. Containment measures were put in place (including tarping off affected areas), along with air filtration devices to stabilize the environment and help prevent further spread or secondary damage.
ServPro (or their partners) conducted lead and asbestos testing on Monday in the areas requiring treatment prior to disturbing any structures in the school (flooring, walls, etc.). I know a few parents had reached out with questions about asbestos testing, so I want to reassure everyone that these steps are being taken as outlined in Titan’s report. The results are still pending at the time of this email. ServPro has requested clarification on some of the information provided in Titan’s report. Once those questions are addressed, we should have a clearer plan moving forward, including a projected timeline for completion.
While this work continues, we will use AMI/virtual learning for Martin Warren Elementary students only from April 13–17, 2026. While AMI is typically used for inclement weather, it is also permitted for other unexpected school closures.
Please note there is no school on Monday, April 20, due to district professional development.
Our upcoming discussions with ServPro will help determine when we can safely reoccupy Martin Warren. If we are unable to return to the building on Tuesday, April 21, we will resume in-person learning at alternative locations. We are finalizing these plans and have toured multiple sites to evaluate how they could meet our needs. Final conversations with our team and potential host sites will take place over the next 48 hours.
If we move to alternate locations for in-person learning, please note the following:
All students will be expected to attend in person at the assigned locations and will return to Martin Warren once air quality testing confirms that mitigation has been successful.
Multiple locations will be used to accommodate students beginning April 21, as we do not have a single site that can host all 390 students in grades 3–5.
The Morris Collins Early Childhood Center is not yet fully complete, and we have not received occupancy approval at this time. Final work and punch list items are still being completed.
Playground equipment may or may not be available for traditional recess at some locations, thus recess may look different or be exclusively indoors.
Meals will be provided and delivered by our food service staff.
Specials classes (library, music, art, and PE) may have adjusted schedules or formats due to the use of multiple locations.
We anticipate providing an update by the end of the day on Wednesday regarding plans for April 21.
April 9, 2026 Update
The following information was shared this evening with Martin Warren Families:
We are reaching out this evening to inform you that the district received the air quality testing results for Martin Warren Elementary. Based on the results, areas of the building will need to be mitigated. To allow full mitigation in the spaces, all Martin Warren students will move to AMI instruction tomorrow, Friday, April 10th, and possibly through next week (April 13-17). No other buildings in the district are affected by this decision. Teachers will send assignments home for students to complete.
Although ongoing radon testing indicates the building remains safe for occupancy, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) results received late this afternoon identified areas that require mitigation for air quality. Although these concerns are limited in scope, we believe it is in the best interest of students and staff to remain out of the building during this process. This will allow professionals to complete this work safely and efficiently. We will utilize AMI during this time.
Upon receipt of the test results this afternoon, we immediately contacted ServPro. ServPro will be on-site tomorrow to begin the mitigation process. The priority is to ensure that all areas are mitigated before the school is reopened. ServPro will work closely with the maintenance department on what is necessary to ensure the successful completion of the mitigation for a timely and safe return to the school. The test results may be found here.
Teachers will begin reaching out to families tonight or tomorrow with information about learning activities for Friday. If AMI continues into next week, we anticipate making Chromebooks available for student pickup on Monday. Please watch for additional details from Martin Warren Principal, Sarah Burks and your child’s teacher.
Other items to note:
Career day is cancelled for Friday, April 10, 2026
The school nurse will reach out to coordinate any medications that need to be picked up
This use of AMI is similar to when Ridge View utilized AMI during a previous heating system issue. We understand this may be an inconvenience for families, but these steps are necessary to ensure a safe environment for everyone in the building.
We will continue to closely monitor conditions and take all necessary steps to maintain a safe and healthy environment for our students and staff. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work through this process.
April 8, 2026 Update
Representatives from Terracon and Tennessee Radon Services were in the building on Tuesday, the 7th. The walkthrough and initial pressure testing were all done on Tuesday. The representatives met with Dr. Marnholtz and Mr. Kreisel to discuss the initial design for the mitigation system. The final design should be done and available on Thursday, the 9th, once final approval happens with Terracon. The system design will utilize the steam line tunnels under the building to reduce the negative pressure within the underground spaces. The spaces will be vented out through the old Boiler Room Access on the Northeast side of the building. There will be three lines/pipes that will be used to vent the spaces (one for the basement spaces, one for the steam line tunnel on the south side of the building, and one for the west steam line tunnel). The system will take approximately 5 days for the company to complete the installation, which includes coring through walls in the tunnels, adding plastic sheeting to the south tunnel, running the pipes, and installing the ventilation fans. This system should reduce the draw pressure in the spaces and allow the radon to vent naturally through the soil rather than be drawn into the building. Tennessee Radon Services is the company that will do the work to install the system. The dates for the install will be scheduled once the timeline is finalized. Once the system is installed, continuous monitoring of the system as well as radon levels will be done in the spaces to ensure that the system is mitigating the space.
Titan completed the air quality testing on Friday, April 3rd. The results from the testing are expected by early next week (Monday or Tuesday). The results will be shared as soon as they are available.
The Maintenance Team has been working diligently to get the DOAS systems fully operational. There are three units on the roof of the building. Two of the units are fully operational as of today. The third unit has a minor pressure leak that is being searched for to get it fully operational. The purpose of the DOAS system is to help remove the humidity from the air as it is being brought into the building. The outside air is pulled into the building by the units, and the DOAS system helps to remove the humidity from the air. The dehumidifiers will continue to be utilized until the DOAS systems are fully operational. Once operational, the dehumidifiers will be turned off and removed from the halls. The humidity will continue to be monitored to ensure that the DOAS is working properly. If necessary, the dehumidifiers will be set back up to help with the humidity.
April 1, 2026 Update
Initial Mitigation:
The DOAS (Dedicated Outdoor Air System) units on the roof are continuing to be worked on by the maintenance team to get them fully operational. These systems are what work to alleviate the humidity in the air as it is being brought into the building. They have one unit fully operating and will need to replace a compressor on a second unit and a fitting on the third unit to recharge it with freon. The maintenance team will continue to access the roof units to get the freon tanks and eventually the new compressor onto the roof. This will cause some minor disruption to the playground as they drive onto the playground.
Dehumidifiers have been set up throughout the building to help take additional humidity out of the air until the DOAS system is fully functional. The units will kick in if the humidity goes above 50%.
During the process, teachers opened up windows throughout the building. The maintenance team had to address windows with issues involving the wood frames and sashes. The windows were installed in 1998 and are residential windows. These windows have damage and are inoperable in some spaces. The district has contacted Pella for replacement options and another company to build commercial windows to replace the current windows. Once the replacement is decided, the window that was removed, as well as the windows on the first floor below that room, will be replaced this summer, and a plan will be put into place to address all the original Pellas windows.
Indoor Air Quality:
Titan Environmental Services has been contracted to perform an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) test. The IAQ is designed to test the indoor air quality, which includes possible Mold. The test has been scheduled for Friday, April 3rd. Titan will be in the building to collect samples and do measurements throughout the building. Titan will perform the following items as part of the testing: Visual inspection of the space, temperature and humidity readings, moisture meter or infrared sensor of walls to check for moisture in the walls, samples of any visible surface areas (if present), and collection of air samples to be sent to a lab for testing. Once the results are received, the district will share the results online as well as send them via email.
Mitigation Plan:
Terracon has been contracted to design the mitigation system for radon. They will have representatives at Martin Warren next week on the 7th and 8th. On the 7th, they will be in the building starting around 2 pm for a walkthrough to gain a full understanding of the building layout. On the 8th, they will be back around 4 pm to start testing the pressure field. Testing the pressure field entails:
Evaluation of existing slab conditions to assess the ability to provide a sufficient seal;
Installation and testing of temporary extraction points using blower/fan;
Installation of temporary sub-slab vacuum monitoring points across the slab in the basement and first floor;
Measurement of sub-slab vacuum response at each monitoring location using appropriate field instrumentation.
These items will be done in the evening to avoid any disruptions to the day.
Once Terracon has provided the Basis-of-Design Memorandum, a contractor will be selected to do the work and install the mitigation system as designed. The memorandum should be sent to the district approximately 5 business days after the completion of the pressure testing. The district will then seek out qualified companies to do the work. This process could take several weeks. The installation timelines are unknown until the company is selected. Due to this unknown timeline, summer school will be moved from Martin Warren to Sterling to ensure that the installation does not disrupt student learning.
Based on the most recent testing results and recommendations from the Department of Health and Senior Services, the building remains safe for occupancy. Out of an abundance of caution, the district will continue to restrict access to the basement for the remainder of the school year. We will continue to closely monitor conditions and take all necessary steps to ensure a safe and healthy environment for students and staff.
We want to inform our school community that recent testing has identified elevated radon levels in certain areas of Martin Warren Elementary School.
What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It can enter buildings through small cracks or openings in the foundation. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon can pose health risks.
What we are doing immediately:
The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority. In response to these findings, we have:
Moved all staff and students out of the basement rooms at Martin Warren Elementary
Conducting confirmatory testing to verify results
Consulted with environmental health experts and state/local authorities
Increased ventilation in impacted spaces
Begun planning for mitigation measures (such as radon reduction systems)
Schedule radon testing for all district buildings within the safety plan
Next steps:
After completing comprehensive testing across the entire building, we will have a clear understanding of where mitigation is needed. We are working with a qualified radon mitigation contractor to design and install a radon mitigation system. We will also conduct additional testing after installation to ensure these solutions are fully effective.
Ongoing safety:
We will continue regular monitoring of radon levels
All actions are being taken in accordance with EPA guidelines. These guidelines recommend that all schools be tested, regardless of geographic location or building age. Then, facilities must implement solutions when levels exceed 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter).
We will keep families and staff informed throughout this process
What this means for students and staff:
At this time, we are taking all appropriate precautions to ensure that our school environment remains safe. Short-term exposure to elevated radon levels presents a low immediate risk, but we are acting promptly to address the issue and minimize any long-term concerns.
Questions or concerns:
If you have questions, please contact Dr. Troy Marnholtz at 660-747-7823. We are committed to transparency and will provide updates as we move forward.
To see the Radon on FAQ, click this link for more information: /o/warrensburg/page/radonfaq
For More Information on Radon
K-State provides national radon services and projects for the US EPA through a cooperative agreement. Responsibilities include the National Radon Hotlines, referrals to State Radon Programs, Radon Test Kit Orders, support for regional stakeholder meetings and national conferences, and other technical assistance and outreach activities.
The following DHSS websites offer radon health information and testing data:
Resources regarding radon health effects, testing, and mitigation can be found at www.health.mo.gov/radon.
Information on indoor radon levels in Missouri can be found at www.health.mo.gov/radondata.
Testing Results From Warrensburg Middle School:
RadonReport for April 23, 2026
Testing Results From Martin Warren:
Post Remediation Follow Up test April 23, 2026
Mold Report from April 9, 2026
Radon Testing Report From March 26, 2026
Radon Testing Report from March 10-12., 2026
Folder of Resources from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services