Microbial growth discovered during summer HVAC work has shut down the only pool available to Forest Hills School District swimmers and divers.

Superintendent Suzanna Davis told families of Nagel Middle School, Anderson High School and Turpin High School in a Monday, Aug. 31 statement that the Turpin High School natatorium will stay closed while crews clean, sanitize and remediate the space. The district's insurance provider will cover the cost.

District staff conducting a walkthrough of the natatorium during summer air-handling-unit replacement work observed unusually high humidity and what appeared to be microbial growth on portions of the walls and ceiling, Davis said. The district brought in environmental quality professionals, who confirmed the space needs professional remediation. The district did not identify the specific type of growth or name the contractors involved.

The closure affects 122 student-athletes across three programs. During the 2025-2026 school year, Anderson fielded 25 swimmers and divers, Turpin had 49 and Nagel had 48, according to data the district presented to the board on May 20. The Turpin pool costs about $13,263 a year to operate, covering labor, pump energy and chemicals, per the same board presentation.

All three programs have shared the Turpin pool since the 2019-2020 season, after the Anderson High School pool closed due to significant water loss. The board on June 29 directed administration to research filling in the Anderson pool and repurposing the space, making the nearly 50-year-old Turpin natatorium the district's sole aquatic facility.

Board President Wendy Strickler said at the June 29 meeting that the board was "committed to engaging with students, staff and community members to develop a creative plan moving forward" for the Anderson pool space.

Davis said the natatorium runs on a separate air circulation system that does not connect to any other part of Turpin High School. Preliminary air quality testing outside the pool area showed levels within normal standards. The district plans additional testing in nearby areas and inside the natatorium after remediation wraps up.

The district expects the work to finish in early October, ahead of the start of Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) sanctioned swim and dive practices on Oct. 23. Ohio's high school swim and dive season runs through a late-February state meet, according to SwimSwam.

The district said it will test air quality inside the natatorium after remediation and share results with families before the Oct. 23 practice start.