HERMITAGE, Pa. - For more than a decade, Wee Wisdom Preschool and Child Development Center operated in the basement of St. Gregory the Great Church.

However, the school's owner has stated that the conditions inside the building have become too concerning to ignore.

"We are moving to a new location due to building conditions, including issues with mold, problems with the HVAC system, and inconsistent heating and cooling," Wee Wisdom's owner, Heidi Polcha- Geniviva, said. 

Perhaps one of the most alarming issues is that the custodian hired by the church, Randy Coleman, is a registered sex offender.

"Parents do not want their children exposed to this situation," Polcha- Geniviva, said. 

On Tuesday, crews from ServPro, a cleaning and restoration business, were seen working on the church grounds.

St. Gregory's pastor, the Reverend Ericjon Thomas, could not be reached for comment.

Thomas has faced controversy in the past. In 2022, he pleaded guilty to bribery of a public official.

As a prison chaplain, he received money for smuggling contraband such as cigarettes, pornographic magazines, and sunglasses into the penitentiary.

Polcha-Geniviva said she is focused on making sure 125 students have a safe place to learn when doors open again at the new location.

The preschool owner notified parents in a letter that the first day of school has been postponed due to a recent decision.

"While this move requires a brief delay to our start, our goal is to welcome students and be fully operational by Monday, September 15th," Polcha-Geniviva said in the letter. 

Tuition for September will be half of the monthly rate, and the new location will be announced Friday. 

St. Gregory the Great Church is located at 159 Todd Avenue.