Education officials anxious to guard against a re-emergence of mould at CedarBridge Academy are awaiting a consultant's report that will instruct them on how to properly protect the recently cleaned facility from another infestation.

There is no timetable for the report's completion, but a Government spokesperson says the work has already begun and the report will be ready in "a matter of weeks, not months".

A synopsis of the school's re-opening this week was revealed yesterday as administrators and Ministry officials addressed the media for the first time since the new term began on Wednesday.

CedarBridge Principal Kalmar Richards said 85 percent of students were present during the first few days.

"A closer look at the attendance data for students who are not in school show that some students are still overseas and some students are out sick."

Mrs. Richards further indicated that 15 percent truancy for this time of year (about 125 students) was typical.

"When I considered the data for this year and thought about the data for the past few years, it is not unusual. Those are the types of things that do occur."

She also revealed that only one teacher in her staff of 130 was absent, but said she couldn't divulge why. "I'm aware why the individual is out and I will leave it at that," said Mrs. Richards.

In written remarks, Acting Education Minister Dennis Lister assured the public the facility is ready to host students and educators.

"The building has been cleaned thoroughly from top to bottom," he said, "and we are perfectly satisfied that the environment is safe for all."

The Ruth Seaton James Auditorium, however, will remain off limits.

It has not been cleared for re-habitation by health specialists because of a still contaminated air conditioning system.

The Education Ministry's Facilities Manager Jeane Butterfield said: "The address of that problem is not a simple one so it has to be done in a planned, systematic fashion. That's why it's not yet open to the public's use.

"There's nobody allowed in that section, there's no access allowed, the doors are locked at all times. So it poses absolutely no threat whatsoever," she said.

In the meantime, weekly assemblies are being held in the school's gymnasium.

Mr. Lister also revealed an immediate plan to regularly monitor the indoor air quality at the school.

He said: "Part of ensuring the facility will remain safe for all to use, is that the air quality will be a rigid part of the testing that takes place, which is something that wouldn't or probably isn't done anywhere in our buildings throughout the island. "But in this facility it is one of the things that will be done."

The press conference was held inside the school's library, a room which the principal explained, had undergone a large transformation.

Every square inch of carpet was removed and replaced with tile, every single book was vacuumed, and every air filter was replaced according to Principal Richards.

That labour intensive process meant officials needed a little more time to rearrange all the shelves and all the books.

The library is expected to reopen next week.

Education Minister Randolph Horton shutdown CedarBridge Academy on November 1 amid fears the potentially toxic mould was a threat to the health and safety of students and teachers.

The clean-up cost an estimated $4 million.

Some teachers have lodged complaints and are considering legal action because they say the poorly maintained buildings made them sick. While the Ministry has not acknowledged any link between the school's mould and the teachers' alleged illnesses it has recognised a pressing need to prevent the mould from returning.

Only two specifically new practices were outlined yesterday ? a revamped maintenance schedule and regular air quality testing - but the Acting Education Minister suggested there will be more actionable recommendations once the consultant has delivered its report.