"Loud Noise" Closes Ledyard Middle School Gym

The Ledyard Middle School gymnasium and cafeteria were placed off-limits for students and staff Friday after a teacher reported hearing a loud noise coming from the roof or ceiling of the school's gymnasium.

But inspections by both District Maintaince Director Sam Kilpatrick and town Building Official Randy Dalton revealed no obvious cause for alarm.

In a notice sent to parents, schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Graner said a physical education teacher heard “a loud noise apparently coming from the roof/ceiling of the gymnasium.” He said school Principal Joe Chella immediately barred access to the gym and cafeteria and notified Kilpatrick, who visually inspected the facility. Graner said Kilpatrick found no indication of structural damage.

A section of snow from the roof was weighed and was found to be 12 pounds per square foot – four pounds lighter than when it was weighed a week earlier. The town building code requires the roof to bear at least 30 pounds per square foot.

Graner said he asked Dalton to inspect the roof as well. “He found no visible indications that the building is unsafe,” he wrote to parents.

Kilpatrick also contacted a structural engineering firm to conduct a more thorough inspection of the facility. That inspection will be performed on Tuesday, Graner said.

“Throughout the weekend, Sam will continue to monitor the facility, and then on Monday morning, we will make a determination regarding the reopening of the gym and cafeteria,” Graner said.