High school cleanup

Hammarskjold High School students are getting an unexpected extended weekend.

Officials with Lakehead Public Schools announced they would be closing the school Monday over health and safety concerns.

The school was empty Friday and was going through regular renovations and sanding of the second-floor lockers. It was discovered that there were traces of lead in the dust.

Superintendent of Education Sherri-Lynne Pharand said they hired an environmental consultant to help determine what kind of clean up they have to do. If everything goes according to plan, students and staff could return by Tuesday.

“We are testing both the air quality and the surfaces to ensure that the environment is safe,” she said.

“We determined the small traces of lead were in the primer. It’s our understanding that as long as it is covered it is fine. We do routine maintenance when students aren’t in school.”

The school's lockers are dusted and sanded as part of routine maintenance but she said it isn't done frequently. She added those lockers on the second floor hadn’t been dusted yet and she also wasn’t sure when the primer was applied.

She also encouraged parents and teachers to check the Lakehead Public Schools website for updates.