Gas leak delays start of school at South Butler School District

A gas leak at the building shared by Knoch High School and Knoch Middle School in South Butler School District delayed the start of school Wednesday morning.

Bus drivers took students to the nearby elementary schools as firefighters and gas company workers investigated, according to Superintendent David Foley.

Workers smelled gas before 7 a.m. Wednesday. Students had not yet arrived.

The leak was in a little-used gas line that fuels the Bunsen burners in the science classrooms, Foley said.

Once it was discovered, the gas in that line was shut off. Students returned to school, having missed most of first period but otherwise able to attend classes as normal.

The gas line in question had been shut off for a long time. It was turned on Tuesday for a science experiment in one of the classrooms.

“We know what the issue is, the gas is now shut off, and we’re going to have to get that line fixed,” Foley said. “In the meantime we’re going to have to do some different alternatives in our science classrooms.”