Aurora School cleared after HVAC exhaust sent fumes into classrooms; district adds CO detectors and reviews emergency steps

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 detection and response procedures and prompted immediate policy and equipment changes. Board members were told the district installed additional carbon-monoxide detectors in classroom spaces at Aurora School—beyond state code requirements—and convened a multiagency debrief to revise response protocols.

What happened and what the district did next

According to district remarks to the board, the outdoor unit began malfunctioning and exhaust was drawn toward an adjacent HVAC intake. Preston 911 and local volunteer fire departments responded. Initial ventilation and assessments did not show hazardous CO levels, but about an hour later, some students and staff were reporting symptoms consistent with exposure. The principal and district staff then arranged an early dismissal and triaged affected students; some were transported for medical evaluation after parental permission was obtained where required.

Garrett County hazmat and the state fire marshal later assessed the facility and cleared it for occupancy. The district reported it has since installed CO detectors across classroom spaces (the packet references an initial 13 detectors and subsequent additions covering all classroom locations), ordered repairs for the malfunctioning unit, and used the debrief to create or update a "gas-contaminated-air action plan" and recommended training for staff and first responders.

Officials cited key lessons learned: when there is a report of a gas odor, the district will prioritize immediate evacuation and assessment before returning students to the building; incident command should remain closely coordinated with the school principal throughout the event; and the district will streamline procedures to avoid delays when deciding to transport students for medical care.

Board discussion and follow-up

Board members and staff discussed the availability and use of CO meters during emergency responses, parent notification and transport consent procedures, and how emergency responders and maintenance staff coordinate at the scene. Mr. Martin said the district will provide principals and safety teams with updated guidance and will coordinate with Preston County Emergency Management to provide training for principals and safety teams at a future meeting.

The district distributed a public update and included email follow-ups to parents and staff. The board was told there were no mass casualties; state and local authorities cleared the building after inspection.

Next steps

The district has ordered part replacement for the failed HVAC unit (the part was ordered the day of the incident), installed additional CO detectors, and plans further training for maintenance staff and first responders on meter use and on-site assessments. The administration will present any recommended policy changes and updated emergency-action plans at future board meetings.