Education officials have closed a school in northeastern Newfoundland, with parents saying they are furious that their children had been exposed to mould.

Hillside Elementary in La Scie was closed indefinitely on Thursday after parents were told the school has serious air quality problems.

Testing found mould in at least three rooms.

Kim Morey, who heads a parents' association, said the school literally stinks and is plagued with problems, including a leaky roof.

"The kids are sick — stuffy nose, burning eyes, headaches, upset stomachs," said Morey. "It's all signs of toxic fumes in schools."

Parents told CBC News that they have complained for years about the school, which closed briefly last month while officials dealt with leaks.

Parent Nancy Thomas said she wants to know exactly when the Nova Central School District discovered the problem. Thomas brought her daughter to a special breakfast at the school on Wednesday morning, hours before students brought home letters about the closure order.

"As a parent you kind of think, that's the kids just wanting to come home or whatever, but when you get a letter saying it's too toxic and the school will have to be shut down…. That's not good enough," she said.

"They're eating in a toxic environment."

'Alternate arrangements'

Cleanup work at the school started Friday morning.

Cindy Fleet, the director of the school district board, admits it could be weeks before children can return to the building.

"In order to get this work done, and have people away from that workspace, we'll make alternate arrangements," said Fleet, adding the board is prepared to work around the clock to get the problem fixed.

Morey, though, said many parents are skeptical about whether that will be enough.

"You can't put those kids back in the school here, with toxins in that school," Morey said. "That's diddly."

Mould has caused serious problems at several schools in Newfoundland and Labrador. Paradise Elementary, outside St. John's, was closed permanently last year.

Over the last two school years, mould has caused temporary closures in St. John's, Corner Brook, Western Bay, Upper Island Cove and Conne River.