The Department of Education says it has found mold in multiple classrooms after students and teachers called out sick this week.

Following a rally by the parents of M.S. 577 students this morning, Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott issued a statement saying that after additional testing, mold was found in seven classrooms on the fifth floor.

Officials say health concerns rose in the past week after nearly 20 percent of students and seven teachers called out sick.

According to a Department of Education spokesperson, documented traces of mold and asbestos were found inside the school.

Chancellor Walcott says a thorough cleaning and purification of the rooms began today and will be followed by another round of testing on Sunday.