High School Still Closed Tuesday as Investigation Continues

will remain closed tomorrow, Tuesday, as structural engineers will continue working to determine what caused cracks in walls and on the floors of classrooms.

More than a dozen cracks were Thursday night, and officials closed all schools the next day to remove snow from them, although there was only a problem at the high school. That has now been completed.

Board of Education Chairwoman Rose McKinnon said the structural engineers from the Naugatuck office of Pustola & Associates engineers and constructors want to make sure they conduct a proper investigation.

"They want to make sure the school is safe, and they need an additional day to run some tests," she said. "Safety is a priority, and we can't control mother nature."

She would not reveal Monday what the engineers have found at this point, saying the investigation is not complete. 

Edward "Ted" Malvey, the school system's new superintendent, sent out a news release that was posted on the school system's website Monday night.

The following is the full text of that release, which is also posted to this article as a PDF:

"Snow removal was completed today at the Oxford High School and the structural engineers returned for further analysis. They have determined that (it) would be necessary to now have the original building contractor participate in this process, therefore the Oxford High School will remain closed for Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011. All other Oxford schools will remain open, weather permitting.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work on this important safety issue."

- Dr. Edward Malvey

Superintendent of Schools