DECATUR, Ga. -- Hundreds of DeKalb County students will attend classes Monday morning at a new school because of mold.

Murphey Candler Elementary School was shut down last Thursday so the mold could be removed. Students will start their week at Terry Mill Elementary.

Many parents were surprised to learn about the mold.

“We actually just came down here from Philadelphia, and they've only been in school here for about a week, and we actually were not aware of the situation before,” said parent Calvin Jones.

Both of Jones' daughters will attend the substitute school. For some parents, the move will mean dropping their kids off earlier than usual to ride from Murphey Candler to Terry Mill, which is about 30 minutes away. For the Jones family, it means they will start their morning an hour earlier.

“They're leaving at about ten minutes to seven now,” Jones said. “It's an inconvenience, but when it comes to dealing with their health, we'll take that anytime.”

The move to Terry Mill came after parents and students complained about illnesses.

The mold is suspected of causing some of the illnesses. Repairs were started last week on the 70-year-old building's roof.

The mold is of special concern for parent Sherry Embrack and her son.

“He's asthmatic, and I couldn't understand why he was getting sick. He would wake up and his eyes would be closed,” Embrack said.

Other parents have complained about having to take their children to the doctor’s office several times. But now, some say things are much better at the substitute school.

“I must say I am pleased by the air quality. You can feel the difference,” Embrack said.

School officials said they hope to reopen Murphey Chandler after the Christmas holiday.