Suspected toxins shut down two Franklin elementary schools
Syndicated Author
Published: Mar 21, 2019 | 6:26 AM | Updated: Apr 3, 2019 | 1:49 PM
FRANKLIN, Ind. – Two elementary schools are closed today due to high levels of suspected toxins.
Webb and Needham elementary schools in Franklin are closed with an E-Learning day today after a new round of testing uncovered high levels of toxins.
These two schools are the same schools that were tested last August, before the start of the school year. District officials reported “trace amounts of volatile organic compounds” after soil testing around the school and under the concrete sub-slab was performed.
As recommended by EnviroForensics, Franklin Community Schools requested a second round of sampling be conducted during the winter. Samples of air were taken from below the concrete floor at Needham Elementary and Webb Elementary and sent to a lab for analysis. FCS received preliminary results on Wednesday. Three out of seven samples at Webb Elementary and two out of 10 samples at Needham Elementary were above the Indiana Department of Environmental Management’s (IDEM) screening levels.
With student and staff safety being a concern, FCS is implementing an E-Learning Day today, March 21st for Needham Elementary and Webb Elementary. Over spring break, EnviroForensics will be conducting additional sampling. FCS is planning to provide an update on Thursday, March 28th.
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