FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCONOMOWOC, WI –March 23, 2018. At approximately 9:15 a.m. this morning students from Silver Lake Intermediate School (SLI) were practicing for a Choir Concert in the Oconomowoc Arts Center (OAC) at Oconomowoc High School (OHS). Shortly after rehearsal began several students started feeling lightheaded and nauseous. A medical alert was announced in the building and OHS Principal Jason Curtis, School Police Liaison Officer, Adam Parkhurst, and OHS staff responded immediately. Out of an abundance of caution, students were evacuated from the building and police, fire, and medical responders arrived at school. Students feeling ill were transported to area hospitals.
At the recommendation of the Oconomowoc Police Department, classes at OHS were canceled. In an attempt to have an orderly dismissal, students with keys and cars were released first, students that walk to school were released immediately after. Students being picked up by parents were directed to St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, where students were released to parents with staff supervision. The remaining OHS students were bused home and SLI Choir students were returned to Silver Lake Intermediate School. Staff members were then sent home.
Testing at OHS to ensure air quality is safe for staff and students:
When students were evacuated from the building, Western Lakes Fire District tested the OAC and OHS for Carbon Monoxide (CO), and there was no CO detected. The Waukesha Hazmat Unit was then called to evaluate whether there were any dangerous or foreign substances in the air. Nothing was found. However, among those treated at area hospitals, we have been informed that several individuals were found to have raised levels of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and are continuing to be monitored.
Environmental Management Consulting, Inc. (EMC) has placed air quality monitoring units in the OAC and OHS classrooms/hallways on the northern end of the building to monitor for Carbon Monoxide, Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC), Carbon Dioxide, and Temperature and Relative Humidity. EMC has placed a second monitoring unit to test for CO, Oxygen Level, Hydrogen Sulfide, and Air to Vapor Mixtures. Additional equipment that can test for thousands of chemicals will be put into place in the affected areas tomorrow as well. Finally, there is a telemetry unit relaying data to EMC officials, sending an alert immediately if there is any change in air safety. Air monitoring will continue through the weekend.
Evening and weekend activities at OHS and the OAC:
Activities, athletics, and music performances will resume at OHS and the OAC at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 23, pending safe air quality results.
Determination of safe air quality:
District Administration, with expert opinion from EMC, will make a determination of whether it’s safe for staff and students to re-enter the building tomorrow. In the event that air quality results are unsafe, we will cancel these plans and share that information via email and voicemail, and will post a notification on www.oasd.org , and social media.