High Winds Prompt School Closure In Tolland

TOLLAND, CT — High winds on Monday morning prompted education officials in Tolland to close Birch Grove Primary School.

In a letter sent to parents, school officials called the move "unusual" and said it involved the awning in front of the building. They also said it was precautionary.

"The cantilever in front of the school, while stable under normal conditions, may require extra caution under extreme high wind conditions," Superintendent of Schools Walter Willett said in the letter."

He added, "While it is unlikely that there will be a problem, I must error on the side of safety."

In a call to Patch Monday morning, Willett said an engineering firm and "safety personnel" would be watching the structure closely and added there would likely be school Tuesday.

The school was constructed in 1998 with a wing put on in 2003.

Willett said the awning is inspected regulary and the forceast for multiple strong wind gusts during the day Monday —at greater than 50 mph — initiated a "heightened concern."

"Basically, it became pretty clear wasn't somethign to play arounnd with," he said.

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