Dallas

Classes Resume at Dallas Elementary Despite Air Quality Concern

Special monitors in place at Lakewood Elementary

Parents at Dallas' Lakewood Elementary School are asking questions after dozens of students were out of school Monday.

The school was closed last March because of a carbon monoxide problem. Then 50 students stayed home sick Monday, which is more than double the normal amount.

The Dallas Independent School District said air quality in the school is check out to be normal, but some parents think something isn't right.

"Well, it's just all the elements are starting to come back together again – the illnesses, the symptoms. They leave the school, they get fresh air, all of a sudden they feel better again," said parent Meredith Manak, whose son is in the fourth grade at Lakewood.

Last March, 11 students and three staff members reported feeling ill. The school was evacuated and closed for two days after a contractor reported high levels of carbon monoxide in the building. The problem was ultimately blamed on a dead owl found in the building’s ventilation system.

In a statement to parents Monday, a Dallas ISD spokesperson assured them, "as of today, no abnormal environmental conditions have been identified."

And the statement went on to say the air quality at the school is testing normal.

"I feel like the school and DISD appears to be doing everything they can, but obviously there is still a problem," said parent Paul Manak. "We don't know what that is, but we need to figure it out quick."

Dallas ISD says it is going to continue to monitor the air quality. The principal at Lakewood is also urging any parents with concerns to talk to her.

District officials said they're testing the water at the school as a precaution. The results of the test are expected later Wednesday.

Online: Dallas ISD Lakewood Update, Feb. 23

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