Seymour Superintendent of Schools MaryAnne Mascolo Monday said she couldn’t comment on what type of discipline was given after Seymour High School teachers used Bunsen burners to try to heat classrooms at the school last month.
“Appropriate actions were taken,” Mascolo wrote in an e‑mail.
The Valley Independent Sentinel Monday filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act, asking for documentation related to the disciplinary action taken by the school district.
“We worked with both the Fire Marshal’s office and the police department and can assure you that a thorough investigation was completed and appropriate actions were taken,” Mascolo said in the e‑mail. “I am sorry but I am unable to comment on personnel issues.”
The documents requested by the Valley Indy should be made available if the documents are of “clear public concern,” according to Thomas Hennick, a spokesman for the state’s Freedom of Information Commission.
The Bunsen burner blunder caused police, EMS and firefighters to respond to the high school on Oct. 24.
Six students were taken to Griffin Hospital for evaluation after complaining they felt sick from the strong odor of propane in the school. They were released that day, without any health problems as a result of the incident.
The fire department investigated the school for a possible propane leak, and about 700 students had to wait outside during the search.
The school determined that the strong smell of propane resulted from “human error,” after teachers misused science equipment in two classrooms. Students were allowed back inside the building. The district and the Seymour Police Department, started reviews of the incident.
Both reviews have been completed.
Calls seeking information from police spokesman Lt. Paul Satkowski were not returned last week and again on Monday.
Seymour Fire Marshal Paul Wetowitz said the fire marshal’s office determined there was nothing criminal about the incident.
“We all agree that it was not a wise thing to do,” Wetowitz said. “But is it to that level where it needs to go to a judge? We don’t think so.”
Wetowitz said he expressed that recommendation to the police department in a meeting a couple weeks ago. He said it didn’t appear that the department would pursue criminal charges, but that he couldn’t speak for the police department.
Mascolo said the district will conduct a follow up training to help make sure there aren’t any more problems in the future.
“The safety of our students is a priority and we have taken measures to ensure that there is not a repeat of this incident,” Mascolo said in the e‑mail Monday. “The fire marshal will be conducting training for our entire Science Department on safety procedures and the proper use of equipment.