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Smoke from nearby burn forces Wakama Elementary early dismissal; district reports $61,197 in response costs
Summary
District staff reported March 20 smoke intrusion at Wakama Elementary led to a 10:30 a.m. early dismissal, HVAC/air-scrubber mitigation and an estimated $61,197 in unplanned costs; the board said it would consult its attorney in closed session.
District facilities staff reported that a smoldering burn across the road from Wakama Elementary filled the school with smoke on March 20, prompting an early dismissal and an expedited mitigation plan.
Larry Smith, who presented the incident timeline to the board, said the principal alerted district staff when smoke filled the building shortly after 7 a.m. Staff quickly coordinated an early dismissal at 10:30 after determining the smoldering burn and a shift in wind direction made the building unsafe for a regular day. "The goal immediately was to put a plan in place to where we could get back in school Monday," Smith said, describing work that included placing air scrubbers and air movers in classrooms and running HVAC systems.
Smith provided cost figures tied to the response: transportation added $1,947, staff salaries and supplements for the day totaled $15,764, and the district received a contractor invoice (Surfpro/Serpro) for $43,485, bringing the district’s estimated unplanned cost to $61,197.
Board members were told the school returned to regular schedule the following Monday after mitigation. A board member said the incident had caused "controversy and anger within the community" and the board would consult with its attorney in closed session to discuss next steps.
The report did not identify any student injuries; the district notified parents, redirected staff, and used partner contractors to remediate the facility before reopening.
