WASHINGTON -- Cardozo High School will be closed again Tuesday, but after missing several days of school because of three mercury spills, officials are deciding to hold classes elsewhere.

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Cardozo Classes Move To UDC

The plan is to bus Cardozo students to the University of the District of Columbia. Everyone is being told to report Tuesday to Garnet-Patterson Middle School, at 2001 10th St., Northwest. Kids must be there by 11:30 a.m., but teachers must show by 8:30 a.m. Everyone will be bused to UDC, then bused back at the end of the day.

Mercury was discovered at Cardozo for a third time Sunday. Environmental Protection Agency officials say droplets as tiny as a pinhead were found in the basement. It's not clear how long the mercury had been in the school. Other finds were made on Feb. 23 and March 2.

News4 has learned why officials at Cardozo believe the first cleanup was inadequate. They said the evidence is in video from surveillance cameras around the building. Sources told News4 a review of video footage shows no cleanup activities in certain parts of the school. News4 has also learned that following last Wednesday's second contamination, janitors thoroughly mopped one half of the building and all the mops came back hot for mercury contamination.

The EPA still maintains its initial cleanup was adequate.

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More Mercury Detected At Cardozo
Mercury Spill Closes School

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The EPA said it's bringing in more experts and special cleaning devices as the mercury cleanup continues. But officials said it remains unclear how long the building will stay closed to students.

School officials said they're weighing a number of options to make up class time already missed, including lengthening the school day. A community meeting might also be held in the coming days.