No classes at Rowe High School on Wednesday
McALLEN — Classes at Rowe High School have been cancelled for today, McAllen schools Superintendent James Ponce said Tuesday in a message posted on the school district’s website.
The announcement followed an electrical “arc flash” that occurred at the school about 1:40 p.m., sending one employee to McAllen Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition with second- and third-degree burns to his arms and hand. He was then flown by helicopter to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio for treatment at the world-class burn center there.
No one else was injured, but school officials released students early. Despite earlier reports that classes would resume today, the administration later opted to cancel them while it addresses the electrical problem. The school board is convening an emergency meeting at noon today at the Administration Building. Classes are set to resume at the high school on Thursday at their regular time.
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Aug. 31, 2010
No classes at Rowe High School on Wednesday
A message from Superintendent James Ponce, Ed.D.
Dear Parents,
There will be no classes at James "Nikki" Rowe High School on Wednesday, September 1.
I’d like to update everyone on what occurred. As you may know, the local electric provider has been experiencing power surges and outages along the west side of the McAllen community recently. The district has been working closely with AEP to address how this impacts McAllen schools. Then, at about 1:40 p.m. on Tuesday, an “arc flash” occurred at the school, damaging the transformer that operates the school’s air conditioning system. A fire alarm went off and students and staff quickly and safely evacuated the building. Once we were given the all-clear by the city’s fire department, we brought students back inside to get them out of the sun and release them in an orderly fashion.
No students were injured. An employee who was hurt in the incident was first transported to McAllen Medical Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition with second and third degree burns to his arms and hand. He was then flown by helicopter to the San Antonio Burn Center. Our Nursing Administrator has been with his family and we pray for his quick recovery.
I want to commend the students and staff at Rowe for handling this situation so well. All our schools have a safety plan in place. Our employees review these plans every year and then put those plans into practice. It’s important to note that this is only the second week of school and we have already been practicing those drills in schools throughout the district.
Today, we had eight Fire Department units out here immediately. Our school police and administrative staff also reacted immediately. Our district food services department quickly responded by providing a truck-load of water to hand out to students and adults.
The district is working to put a temporary generator into place as soon as possible to provide an alternative power source for the school. In fact, we have posted notice for an emergency meeting of the School Board. It will take place at noon, Wednesday in the Board Room of our Administration Building.
We anticipate that classes will resume at their regular time on Thursday, Sept. 2. Students and parents are advised that the school’s administrative staff will be at the school Wednesday morning to assist students and parents who may have concerns.
James Ponce, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
McAllen ISD
