Dear Parents, Students and Faculty:
On Monday morning, May 9th, at approximately 7:30am, a surge protector/extension cord was smoking and shooting sparks. The teacher in the room took all appropriate steps evacuating the students, pulling the fire alarm, and using a fire extinguisher to douse the surge protector. In addition, a second surge protector showed some melting in another classroom. The students did a wonderful job evacuating to their assigned areas, and the teachers took attendance and waited for our next steps.
The Dover Fire Department conducted a thorough investigation of the buildings and let the students enter the middle school. The high school students were kept in the auditorium, and the middle school students returned to their first period class.
I decided to dismiss our middle/high schools at 9:00am in order to thoroughly inspect all classrooms and take whatever actions were needed to ensure everyone’s safety. The fire inspector was here from BOCES to aid us in our work.
I want to commend everyone in our schools this morning. The students for their outstanding behavior and for remaining calm and helpful with all requests, the teachers and staff for their help in making the best of this emergency situation, and the administrators and secretaries for their help in communicating with parents and staff and following our safety protocols and procedures. Finally, I want to commend the Dover Fire Department for their quick response and resources they provided this morning.
Respectfully,
Michael Tierney
Superintendent of Schools
