EPA inspects Newburgh‑area schools after chemical fire; several buildings cleared for reentry

A district official told the board that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and local agencies inspected schools affected by a recent chemical fire and cleared Yankee Town Elementary, Sharon and Newburgh schools for reentry without special cleaning. "EPA was gonna be on‑site this afternoon and tomorrow," the official said, adding that EPA had already inspected the three sites and found no special cleaning was required.

The district said it will perform a quick scrubbing of playground equipment and then allow building principals to permit students back into those areas. The four remaining schools impacted by the incident will await EPA recommendations before the district decides whether to release them for normal use or follow additional guidance. The official thanked Ward County EMA, Ohio Township Fire Department, the local health department and EPA for coordinating responses; Brian Flowers and his facilities team were praised for shutting down HVAC systems swiftly after the incident.

Why it matters: parents and staff need timely confirmation that school buildings are safe to occupy and to know what cleaning or monitoring steps have been taken. The district's communications team said it sent a second notice to families of seven affected Newburgh schools advising of EPA plans to be on site and of preliminary clearances at three locations.

The presentation included no new board action; district staff will follow EPA guidance and update families and principals as recommendations are received.