Florida Teacher’s Death Linked to Legionnaires' Disease Prompts Classroom Relocations

Seven classrooms at Pasadena Fundamental Elementary School in Pinellas County have been vacated as officials investigate air quality concerns after a teacher’s death from Legionnaires’ disease.

Katherine Pennington, a 61-year-old kindergarten teacher with 36 years of experience, passed away on November 24 after testing positive for legionella bacteria, which causes Legionnaires’ disease.
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia spread through contaminated water or moisture particles, not person-to-person contact, according to the CDC.
Seven classrooms in the affected school building have been temporarily relocated while air conditioning repairs and air quality tests are conducted to ensure safety.
Reports from colleagues suggest concerns about standing water and black mold in the school’s air-handling system, though this has not been officially confirmed as a cause.
The Florida Department of Health is conducting an ongoing investigation, and an environmental company has been hired to clean the facility and address potential health risks.