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BELMONT -- Union Local High and Middle schools students were sent home a little after 11 a.m. Tuesday due to an apparent plumbing issue that created a strong odor.
Superintendent Zac Shutler was reached for comment that afternoon.
"We had a sewer smell that kind of permeated the high school part of the building. This is the second time this occurred. Last time we flushed drains from the sinks and the smell went away. This time it didn't go away quite as quickly, so we had most of our high school in the commons and the gymnasium. Once the smell didn't go away for an hour or two, we made the decision to dismiss our high school early and because of logistics with busing, we also dismissed our middle school students," he said.
He added that about 700 students in all were dismissed. The elementary school was unaffected.
Shutler said officials hope to have the smell cleared by Wednesday.
"We're working on it now. I'm here at the building. Our maintenance crew is doing a good job. We've contacted Belmont County Water and Sewer because it was a very strong sewer smell. They came out to help diagnose. We've got a plumber coming out this evening," he said Monday, adding the odor had greatly dispersed by late afternoon as workers continually flushed the sinks and drains.
"I think right now, the plan is to prepare for school (Wednesday). We will inspect the building (Tuesday) evening. We'll also inspect the building (Wednesday) morning prior to students' arrival. If there's an issue, if there's a smell, we'll make a determination then," he said.
Shutler said the school buildings' plumbing has been an issue under consideration along with the heating and air conditioning system. The elementary and high school buildings date from 1998 and the middle school was built in 1958 but remodeled and repurposed in 1998.
"Things are what they are. We're doing our best in the situation that we have. We will continue to do our best. Things like this do impact our learning, but I think right now there's no sense in speculating. We've got to find out what the issue is and get it corrected."
Further announcements and updates can be found on the district's Facebook page or will be made through automated calling.