Schools searched for debris
Posted on 02/03/2003 1:14:04 AM PST by MeekOneGOP
Schools searched for debris
Some campuses may be closed today to allow EPA removal
02/03/2003
Officials at school districts across the eastern half of Texas fanned out across their campuses Sunday to search for shuttle debris before children returned to classes Monday.
Gov. Rick Perry directed districts in 93 counties to inspect all grounds, including rooftops.
The Environmental Protection Agency will remove debris from school sites and recommends keeping schools closed until debris is removed.
In North Texas, searchers located a piece of debris Sunday at Maypearl High School, said Chief Deputy Charles Sullins of the Ellis County Sheriff's Department.
The impact on the school districts was being determined Sunday, but state officials said it was likely that many campuses would not open Monday.
"It's on the roofs, it's on the playgrounds, it's on the running tracks," said state Sen. Todd Staples, R-Palestine.
Officials acknowledged that debris on some campuses may not be discovered until classes resume Monday and that students may be sent home.
Officials said Sunday night that schools in Springtown ISD in Parker County and in Crossroads ISD in Henderson County would be closed Monday after debris was found.
Nacogdoches County Sheriff Thomas Kerss said EPA workers were at nine schools in his county bagging and removing debris.
School officials there said they would decide Sunday night whether to reopen campuses.
At the governor's direction, the Texas Department of Public Safety advised local law enforcement officials to begin notifying school administrators to inspect their campuses.
In addition, the Texas Education Agency alerted regional education service centers, which also began notifying administrators.
Dallas school officials called in about 100 maintenance and security personnel Sunday to walk the grounds.
Dallas Police Department helicopters were assisting, using spotlights to look for debris on campus rooftops, district spokesman Donny Claxton said.
Fort Worth school custodians were called in Sunday morning to check the grounds and reported finding no debris, said Eileen Houston-Stewart, director of communications.
In Grand Prairie, 41 district employees completed a search of all grounds and roofs and found no debris, officials said.
Staff writers Jason Trahan, Robert Tharp and Lesley Tèllez contributed to this report.
E-mail ssandoval@dallasnews.com
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