Schools
Cheshire Officials Determine Source of Carbon Monoxide that Led to Sick Students, Early Dismissal: UPDATE
Highland Elementary was dismissed early on Wednesday after several students became ill and some had elevated levels of carbon monoxide.
CHESHIRE, CT — Cheshire school officials determined that a malfunctioning boiler was the source of the carbon monoxide that resulted in several Highland Elementary School students becoming ill and leading to the school’s early dismissal on Wednesday morning, according to multiple reports.
Officials decided to dismiss students early on Wednesday after learning that several students became ill on a field trip and an evaluation of their status late Tuesday night and early Wednesday confirmed that some of them had elevated levels of carbon monoxide in their system.
Some students also reported having diarrhea, which is not associated with carbon monoxide exposure.
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In a message to parents on Wednesday morning, Superintendent of Schools Jeff Solan said the district was working closely with the Cheshire fire department, police department, Chesprocott, Cheshire Public Schools transportation, and “our maintenance staff to identify any potential source of carbon monoxide.”
“That team evaluated the building this morning and found no carbon monoxide or other contaminates,” Solan said in the message. “We are continuing to seek all possible sources from the building, outside on our property, and from the field trip to identify any potential source.”Solan said that since they were not able to confirm that the source of the carbon monoxide is not in Highland School, officials decided to dismiss all students at 10:55 a.m.
Find out what's happening in Cheshirefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“This dismissal will ensure that there is no risk of exposure and for us to conduct further testing which can't be executed with students in the building,” Solan said.
NBC Connecticut reports that later in the day, officials determined that the malfunctioning boiler was releasing carbon monoxide through a chimney and it was then drawn into the building through rooftop air handling units.
The boiler was shut down so it could be repaired, according to NBC.
The rooms where students reported symptoms will also be disinfected, according to the Meriden Record-Journal.
The Record-Journal reports officials have deemed the school safe for occupancy and school will be held as normal on Thursday.
Read more at the Meriden Record-Journal here and NBC Connecticut here.
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