Northport parents rally after new odors enter middle school

Parents in Northport held a rally Thursday after they say noxious odors at the Northport Middle School came back earlier this week.

News 12 Staff

Dec 13, 2019, 1:20 AM

Updated 1,626 days ago

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Parents in Northport held a rally Thursday after they say noxious odors at the Northport Middle School came back earlier this week.
As News 12 has reported an inspection in April 2017 found that 2 dozen hazardous materials were stored in a warehouse underneath a classroom. Students said that they were feeling sick as a result of the odors.
Those chemicals have since been removed though parents say they believe the building is still contaminated.  
According to school officials, the strange smells are merely the result of some of the wild weather from earlier in the week.
In a letter to parents, the principal wrote, "We believe the odors are related to the rapid temperature change and high humidity."
On Thursday, the school board voted unanimously to hire an environmental firm tasked with finding the source of the smell.
The company will test the soil, as well as the air quality. They'll also interview children about their symptoms.
The board's decision comes on the recommendation of a committee made up of parents, teachers and administrators.
The Suffolk County Department of Health has rendered the building cleared for occupancy, but some parents say they want the school to be shut down until the investigation is finished.
At this point there's no plan to close the building down, but the committee says the environmental firm is start with their investigation.
Students are expected to be at the school on Friday.
 


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