ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A social media post showing what appeared to be mold in the William Allen High School weight room has reignited frustration among community members who say the school has long been neglected.
In the Oct. 13 post, former student Patric Reynolds shared photos of what he described as mold caused by a leaking pool above the weight room.
“William Allen’s weight room is still dealing with the pool leak from upstairs. Can they please resolve this decades-long issue already?” Reynolds wrote. “Equity is not being delivered to our students. I hope our board members know that. We pay the superintendent more than the governor and we can’t even have safe, clean schools.”
The Allentown School District responded in a message sent to William Allen staff and families Tuesday afternoon, acknowledging the public concern but saying recent testing found no immediate risk.
The results of the most recent indoor air quality tests, conducted on Sept. 30 by Element Environmental, are conclusive: there is no immediate health hazard, and the natatorium is safe to occupy,” said Dr. Robert Whartenby, the district’s chief operations officer.
Whartenby noted that the pool, constructed around 1970, has been a recurring maintenance challenge for decades. The district has completed multiple repair projects since 2007 to address ongoing water infiltration, which has affected the running track and weight room located below the pool.
Access to those lower-level areas has been restricted “out of an abundance of caution,” Whartenby said, while the district continues quarterly air quality testing and long-term planning for a full renovation of the pool area.
According to the district, engineering and environmental studies conducted since 2018 have explored options to modernize the natatorium and address underlying structural and mechanical issues. The most recent assessment, completed in August 2025, outlined potential modernization plans now under review by the school board’s athletic committee.
Despite the district’s assurances, many community members expressed outrage on social media, citing years of what they view as systemic neglect toward William Allen — the city’s largest high school.
“Allen has always been overlooked and neglected in comparison to all the other schools in the district,” wrote one commenter, Rodriguez Vee. “It blows my mind because it’s the largest school in the city, yet receives the least support, funds, and resources.”
Others said the problem dates back decades.
“I graduated in 2000 and the pool leaked into the weight room all four years I was there,” said alumnus Billy Krotzer. “Crazy that 25 years later it’s still happening.”
The renewed attention comes weeks after the district reported mold in classrooms at Muhlenberg, Ritter and Sheridan elementary schools, all of which have since been remediated and cleared for use.
For many current and former Allentown residents, the weight room controversy has become symbolic of broader concerns about equity and infrastructure across the district.
“Students deserve a clean, healthy environment to learn in,” said resident Merv Peters Jr. “Parents — get to the school board meetings and voice your concerns. Power in numbers.”
The Allentown School Board is scheduled to meet Oct. 23.
