WGNS has more news on a gas leak at Rockvale High School.
James Evans with the Rutherford County Schools reported that after the school closed early on Wednesday to fix the leak, that work would continue into Thursday. Therefore, the high school will remain closed on Thursday...
Parents will receive an update by phone on Thursday, but at this point it looks as if all work will be completed by Thursday afternoon and the school will likely be open for class on Friday.
The utility company has been onsite Wednesday repairing the gas leak and expects to finish. However, they must complete a pressure test of the entire system before students and staff are allowed to occupy the building. This pressure test is schedule to be completed Friday.
Due to the need to conduct the pressure test, Rockvale High School will remain closed Thursday, Sept. 9, and the schools will use a stockpile day to cover the closure. This only affects Rockvale High School.
PREVIOUS REPORT ON WEDNESDAY MORNING
EARLY DISMISSAL at 10 AM WEDNESDAY: The smell of gas was detected at Rockvale High School and parents of students were notified about the situation at about 8:30 Wednesday morning.
Rockvale principal Steve Luker notified parents that students would be dismissed EARLY, due to the smell of gas in the building.
PREVIOUS NOTICE TO PARENTS (9:40AM on WEDNESDAY):
Rockvale High dismissing at 10 a.m. today
Rockvale High School will begin dismissing at 10 a.m. today because of an unresolved gas leak that was detected before the school day began.
The school administration noticed a natural gas smell in one of the hallways this morning before 8 a.m. and had the gas turned off. School begins at 8:30 a.m. and students were diverted to the football stadium until crews could investigate.
Crews from the utility department, the fire department and the district’s maintenance department are on scene and working to isolate and repair the leak.
However, the decision has been made to dismiss the high school students to return home because of the uncertainty of the how long it will take to repair. Parents have been notified by the school directly with specific instructions and dismissal will be held — using Rockvale Middle School’s parking lots — beginning at 10 a.m.
We appreciate parents’ patience and understanding as we address this situation.
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The gas in the building was turned off and all students were escorted out of the building and to the football field as a precaution. The fire department was called in to inspect the building and to determine the cause of the gas like odor.
No injuries have been reported with the possible gas leak at Rockvale High School on Highway 99 in Rutherford County.
WGNS will update this story from Rockvale High School as more details are releasd.
