Dear Monticello Community Members,
This morning, a heating unit had an electrical malfunction that triggered smoke alarms in Monticello High School. The unit was on the roof, above the fitness center of the high school.
This happened at approximately 7 a.m., while students and staff were entering the school. Students on site were immediately evacuated to the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School gymnasium and cafeteria. Some students en route to the building remained in their vehicles or school buses, until they could safely join their peers at the middle school.
Monticello Fire Department responded promptly to ensure the fire was extinguished. All high school students and staff were accounted for and safe in the middle school. Damage was limited to the unit and immediate area around it.
Out of an abundance of caution, and to allow for thorough air quality testing, all high school students and staff remained in the middle school, and will be dismissed at 9:45 a.m. Given these circumstances and the anticipated winter storm, we adjusted the planned early dismissal times at the St. John Street School and the elementary schools by one hour. Students will now be released four (4) hours earlier than regular dismissal, instead of the planned three (3).
I appreciate your flexibility and understanding considering this emergency. I am also deeply grateful for the quick response by all of our staff in caring for our students and each other. There are far too many of you to mention, but your dedication is noticed and appreciated. A special thank you also to Monticello Fire Department, our school resource officers, and other emergency personnel who responded to this event.
We will provide additional updates once the air quality testing is complete, or if other actions are necessary.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact your school’s office or me.
Thank you.
With Monti Pride,
Matthew T. Evans, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools