AFT raises mold, health concerns at Abrams Elementary in Bessemer
Wed, August 26, 2026 at 4:50 PM
UpdatedWed, August 26, 2026 at 5:18 PM
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Photos of damage inside Abrams Elementary (Erica Hughes).
BESSEMER, Ala. (WBMA) — The president of the Central Alabama American Federation of Teachers is raising concerns about conditions inside J.S. Abrams Elementary School in Bessemer, alleging mold is present in the building as students and employees report getting sick
Central Alabama AFT President Erica Hughes said the union began receiving calls from school employees last Thursday. Those calls prompted Hughes to visit the school’s pre-K area herself
“We received many phone calls on Thursday and I visited the school here at Abrams in the primary pre-K department and it is unbelievable what these students and staff are having to endure every day,” Hughes said
Hughes said she saw what she believes is mold throughout parts of the building. She also raised concerns about plumbing and security, saying the girls’ restroom she visited did not have running water for students to wash their hands and only one sink worked in the boys’ restroom. “There is black mold all throughout the building, all throughout the classrooms,” Hughes said
Hughes also said teachers, staff members and students have missed school with respiratory illnesses since shortly after the school year began
“We have teachers, staff and students who have been out sick since day two of school because they are breathing in these conditions (with) severe respiratory infections,” Hughes said
One parent Hughes approached outside Abrams Wednesday said her child had recently been sick
“We already went to the doctor, they said it was not asthma they did not know where it was coming from. I have a feeling what you just said about the black mold it could be that,” the parent said
Another parent said she had not heard about the concerns before Hughes approached her. “I was not aware. I attended the open house and they made everything appear to look nice and neat and clean for the students and the parents,” the parent said
Hughes spent part of Wednesday afternoon walking from vehicle to vehicle during car line to tell parents about the union’s concerns, showing pictures from inside the school. She alleges the district has not adequately informed families about the conditions being reported
“There hasn’t been any with the parents. The community is not aware,” Hughes said. “That is why as president of Central Alabama AFT I am walking these streets today during car line to let these parents know what is going on, what their students are facing when they enter this building every day.”
Hughes said concerns about the building date back a decade. She said AFT fought to have J.S. Abrams shut down in 2016 because of mold concerns in the same building
Hughes said the union began contacting the health department Friday about the current concerns and expected health officials to visit the school by Wednesday
She also alleges work was done inside the school over the weekend after concerns were raised but did not address what she believes remains above the ceiling
“We started contacting the health department on Friday and as of this weekend Mr. Turner and Dr. Boyd brought a crew in,” Hughes said. “They lowered the ceiling to make it look as if everything is clear, but it’s not. Above the ceiling is still the black mold.”
ABC 33/40 has reached out to Bessemer City Schools asking whether J.S. Abrams has been tested for mold or indoor air quality, what repairs or remediation were completed before the school reopened and whether the district has received reports of students or employees getting sick
Bessemer City Schools is currently under state intervention. ABC 33/40 also reached out to Alabama State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey asking what the state knew about conditions at J.S. Abrams before the school reopened, whether the state reviewed any testing or remediation and whether the Alabama State Department of Education will investigate the concerns
ABC 33/40 has not independently confirmed that the substance Hughes described is mold or if the illnesses were caused by conditions in the school
