Olton ISD campuses reopened on Monday, February 6, 2023.
After an extensive inspection and analysis of our district facilities by multiple experts and safety agents, it was determined that the source of the harmful gas was the kitchen on the Elementary School Campus.
The experts who tested every part of our District facilities found that the kitchen was emitting Carbon Dioxide and Carbon Monoxide, as a result of less outside air circulation into the building during the extended period of extreme cold temperatures last week. In order to ensure their facilities are safe, Olton ISD will be shutting off gas to all gas-powered cooking appliances, until they can more fully assess and improve the air flow quality in the kitchen and cafeteria.
“Because we will be shutting off these appliances, breakfast and lunch will be served cold until we can complete the assessment of the appliances and make any needed repairs and/or replacement of equipment,” Superintendent Kevin McCasland said. “We will continue to have experts conduct air quality and ventilation monitoring to ensure that the kitchen and all District facilities are safe.”
He addd, “ Additionally, we have begun installing Carbon Monoxide and/or Carbon Dioxide detectors throughout the District. Finally, in order to exercise the utmost care, some of the older heating equipment in the district will be removed and possibly replaced.”
School resumed Monday, February 6, 2023.
“We want to assure our families that we have thoroughly inspected all facilities and they are safe for our students and staff members,” Supt. McCasland said.