JAY – A broken exhaust fan on the roof of the elementary school is believed to have caused staff and students to become sick. A new fan is scheduled to be installed Thursday over the first grade wing.

Principal Beverly Gillespie said she also called in a state air quality specialist to the check the air in the school. The inspector is not available until next week.

The roof exhaust fan circulates fresh air into the building, Gillespie said.

The problem is carbon dioxide, she said, and not carbon monoxide as was first thought.

Gillespie said she received a few complaints that there were symptoms of illness from some students and staff members Tuesday and Wednesday, but not as many as she received last week.

On Friday, 27 staff members and 16 children complained of symptoms ranging from nausea to dizziness.

The fire chief conducted carbon monoxide testing Friday.

The first test conducted in a hallway bathroom showed a low level of carbon monoxide. A vent was turned on in the bathroom and in the next test there was no reading.

Tests were conducted for carbon monoxide again Tuesday morning before students arrived and the building was deemed safe, Gillespie said.

Teachers have cracked opened windows to let fresh air in.

“I’m continuing to monitor this,” Gillespie said.

She has asked teachers to continue to report similar symptoms students or staff members are experiencing, just in case the malfunctioning fan is not the problem.

“Teachers have been right on top of it,” Gillespie said, “and the staff has been very cooperative.”

dperry@sunjournal.com

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