KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Students at Raytown South High School and Herndon Career Center will start the school year remotely next week due to a safety issue in the parking lot.
In an announcement Friday, district officials cited “an unusual and unexpected safety issue involving natural gas” in the parking lot outside the school as the reason for the virtual start to the school year.
The first day of school is set for Wednesday, Aug. 20.
“Safety is always our top priority,” Raytown Quality Schools Superintendent Dr. Penelope Martin-Knox said in Friday’s announcement. “We are working closely with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Spire, and local officials to resolve the issue as quickly and safely as possible so students and staff can return to their buildings.”
In an interview, Martin-Knox said facility staff members heard a hissing noise last weekend and alerted supervisors, who contacted the fire department.
The district has worked with environmental experts all week to determine the exact cause of the leak.
A Spire spokesperson said the leak does not appear to be related to Spire's infrastructure.
The Missouri Department of Natural Resources monitored air quality in the area all week. A spokesperson said the issue is contained to the school's parking lot. She said the air in the neighborhood is safe to breathe.
“Having something that’s unidentified, we have to err on the side of safety first, so we made adjustments," Martin-Knox said.
The district said additional information would be provided as it becomes available.
One parent said her child did well with virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and expects the school year to start well despite this change.
“I’m glad they’re keeping everybody at home until they deal with this, most definitely," Joyce Clark said.
The Herndon Career Center serves students from six school districts. Martin-Knox said she has personally called leaders at Center, Grandview, Hickman Mills, Independence and Lee's Summit school districts.
About 400 students attend the career center. The high school serves just over 1,000 students, according to the district.
The Raytown School District will pass out devices to students next week at two locations.
- Raytown South Middle School (the cafeteria entrance), 8401 E. 83rd St., Raytown, 64138.
- Monday, Aug. 18, from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Raytown Schools Education & Conference Center, 10750 E. State Rte 350, Raytown, 64138.
- August 20 - 22 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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KSHB 41 reporter Charlie Keegan covers politics in Kansas, Missouri and at the local level. Share your story idea with Charlie.
