Maypearl ISD School Closure Extended Due to Air Quality Concerns
MAYPEARL, Texas – The closure of Maypearl Primary School has been extended, as officials respond to critical air quality issues linked to high levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) inside the building. Originally scheduled to reopen on Friday, the school will now remain closed until Monday while remediation efforts continue.
Reason for Closure
The Maypearl fire chief ordered the temporary closure earlier this week after detecting elevated CO2 levels, a matter the district has been monitoring since at least November. Parents have voiced increasing concerns about their children’s health, with many reporting frequent sickness among students.
Parental Concerns
Parents of students at Maypearl Primary School have been vocal about their apprehensions regarding the school’s air quality. Several parents have noted that their children have experienced persistent illnesses, which they suspect may be connected to the air quality issues within the school. Chase Edward, a concerned parent, stated, “They’re going to have to gain our trust back. Otherwise, I have no intention of sending my child back into that environment.”
Other parents echoed similar sentiments, mentioning specific health issues faced by their children, including headaches and prolonged coughing. Jade Rankin expressed her reluctance to return her child until she feels assured of a safe environment, while Stacy Miller remarked on the trust barriers created by this ongoing situation.
Health Implications of Elevated CO2
According to Dr. Preeti Sharma, an associate professor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern and Children’s Health, CO2 is a naturally occurring gas that, while generally harmless in low concentrations, can lead to significant health concerns when present at elevated levels. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, which may worsen with prolonged exposure.
Children are particularly vulnerable to air quality issues, and the inspection reports indicate that students at Maypearl Primary have faced additional health risks from factors such as dust buildup and water leaks in the building.
Future Actions
The Maypearl ISD is actively collaborating with HVAC engineers to rectify the air quality measures. The school district plans to provide further updates to parents as repairs progress. As part of ongoing transparency, the Maypearl ISD Board of Trustees has scheduled a special meeting for next Wednesday to discuss the situation further and address parental concerns.
As the situation develops, the district’s commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment will be closely monitored by concerned parents and community members.
