3 Schools in Elgin, Bartlett Closed After Legionella Bacteria Found

Three schools within School District U-46 will be closed for the rest of the day after annual air quality testing of school cooling towers found higher-than-normal levels of Legionella bacteria.

Classes have been cancelled for students at Eastview Middle School in Bartlett, Larkin High School in Elgin and Gifford Street High School, said Tony Sanders, CEO of U-46. The U-46 central office has also been closed.

The schools were being evacuated at 11 a.m. after school officials learned of the bacteria issue, NBC Chicago reports.

Eastview students are being transported to Bartlett High until parents can pick them up. Gifford Street High School and Central Schools program students are moving to Elgin High School until we can get those students home. Larkin students will be dismissed to go home if they walk, or will wait outside until buses arrive. Special needs students will be transported. ESC/Central Office staff were asked to go to either Bartlett High or Elgin High to assist with students.

Since the central office for the school district is closed, emergency operations will be set up at the district’s Plant Operations facility off of Shales Parkway.

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