A lack of heat closed Medomak Valley High School in Waldoboro and a lack of water closed South Bristol School on Tuesday, Jan. 2.
The boilers at MVHS are not working, RSU 40 Superintendent Steve Nolan said in an email. The school is working to thaw a fuel line and restore heat to the building as quickly as possible.
Nolan said the high school will reopen when the boilers are working properly, heat is restored, and the building is safe to occupy.
A frozen pipe in the pump house forced SBS to dismiss students at 9 a.m. Tuesday, according to Principal Scott White. Water has since been restored and the school is expected to reopen Wednesday, Jan. 3.
At 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, SBS staff members discovered there was no water in the building. There had been staff members in the building New Year’s Day, Monday, Jan. 1, and the water had been in good working order, according to a press release from White.
Because it was unclear when the school would have water again, the administration decided to dismiss students at 9 a.m. White said parents were notified and all students were transported home safely.
A plumber was contacted, arrived at the school, and found the problem. The pipe was thawed and water was restored to the building.
Another inspection found frozen pipes below the building that houses the SBS after-school program. The school is taking steps to thaw those pipes and insulate them to prevent future issues.
