The administration of Johnson High School averted what would have been a real tragedy — albeit a personal one — on Saturday by allowing students evacuated on Friday to return for personal items like cell phones.
There were actually two evacuations on Friday, Oct. 11 because of the smell of gas. The first one was later found to have been because some pilot lights in the campus kitchen were blown out by the stiff north wind after employees propped a door open for a delivery.
That happened about 12:45 p.m. and lasted about 20 minutes.
Then at around 2:41 p.m. there was a gas smell in a different part of the building. It’s believed that was caused by a small gas leak in the culinary arts classroom kitchen area. “Crews repaired a damaged connector valve in the area,” the district said in a news release. “During the search, they also identified two loose boiler room fittings and tightened them. Additionally, crews discovered a small leak on a cap at the building’s gas meter manifold.”
Administration decided after the second evacuation that classes would be suspended for the rest of the day. Parents were notified, and had the option of picking their children up at Carpenter Hill Elementary, located next door to the high school, or waiting for them to ride the bus home.
“Because the students were evacuated quickly, many may not have their personal items with them, including their cell phones,” district spokesman Tim Savoy said in a notice to parents sent out shortly after the second evacuation began. “Please do not be alarmed if you are not able to get an answer from your child.”
The gas remained off during the weekend and most students were allowed in Saturday between noon and 2 p.m. to retrieve personal items they left behind during the evacuation. Band students, who had an early departure for an out of town competition, were allowed back in from 7 to 8:30 a.m.
Because Monday was a holiday and Tuesday a staff development day, students weren’t due to return to campus until Wednesday, Oct. 16.
“During both evacuations, students and staff members performed exceptionally,” Savoy said. “Additionally, we continue to remain indebted to our first responders. They were quickly on scene for both evacuation and they are always at the ready day or night to keep our schools safe.”
