Odor Closes Bethel High, Forces Late Opening Thursday

Bethel High School closed early Wednesday and will be opening on two-hour delay Thursday after students and faculty noticed a strange odor on the east side of the school.

A leak was discovered in of the ventilation units, releasing “a strong odor into the interior classrooms,” according to a message posted on the school’s website shortly after 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Fire Marshal Thomas Galliford reported to the school and determined there was “no toxic threat” but that “the odor is strong enough that it may be an irritant to students and staff.”

Students were dismissed and the afternoon parent-teacher conferences scheduled were postponed.

Odor mitigation crews are at work clearing the smell from the building but as of Wednesday evening they “did not feel confident that they could have the entire east side of the building ventilated thoroughly” before the first bell Thursday.

With a little extra time, the crews do expect remediation work to be finished in time for a 9:35 a.m. opening.

Bethel’s other schools will remain on the standard scheduled Thursday.