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Aurora School cleared after HVAC exhaust sent fumes into classrooms; district adds CO detectors and reviews emergency steps
Summary
An outdoor HVAC failure at Aurora School on Dec. 1 led to a gas/odor event and symptoms among students and staff. The district dismissed students early, Garrett County hazmat and the state fire marshal cleared the building, and district staff installed additional carbon-monoxide detectors and revised evacuation procedures.
A malfunctioning outdoor HVAC unit at Aurora School on Dec. 1 produced exhaust that was drawn into indoor units and caused a noticeable gas odor and later, headache-like symptoms among some students and staff. School leaders called emergency responders; after an on-site assessment and an early dismissal, hazmat and state fire-marshal officials cleared the building.
Paul Martin, identified in the transcript as Paul Martin, the Central Preston principal who briefed the board, said school leaders initially tested indoor air and that first readings did not indicate CO. "At that point in time there was not an indication or any detection of any CO in the building," he said, describing why the district did not evacuate students immediately on first reports of odor. As symptoms were reported later, Mr. Martin said he ordered an early dismissal and buses were mobilized for student transport.
Why it matters: The incident exposed gaps in on-site…
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