PRIEST RIVER — Unexpected repairs led West Bonner County District officials to close the district office Monday afternoon.

The district office has been relocated to Priest River Elementary for the duration of the repairs, which could take several weeks. Superintendent Kim Spacek said the office was closed as a precautionary measure while testing is done in the building for mold and mildew. 

Spacek said the initial test results came back with some concerning elements and that the move to the elementary school was a precautionary measure. 

“Fungus does not do well, and there was radon in that also, so that became a concern,” Spacek said of the first test results. “When we had the fungus report coming back, we said, ‘You know what? What other things are there that there could be that we're not sure about before we just decide to get make repairs.’” 

Spacek said an employee was feeling unwell at the office, which prompted the investigation into the building’s basement.   

“When we opened the door to the basement, there was a bad smell. We asked the facility staff to take care of it,” Spacek said. “They did. It kept coming back, and it didn't improve.” 

Spacek said the district expects to get results back from further testing this week and that it is already in contact with a company for repairs. It’s his hope that the district staff will return to the normal office in January. 

In the meantime, residents are still able to visit the district’s temporary office, call the district office’s main line or any of the numbers that have been posted on the district’s social media to contact district administration.