Students of Finch Elementary School returned to their own school on Friday morning after officials found the cause of a carbon monoxide leak. Classes has been held at Kennedy Middle School since Tuesday.
Monday's carbon monoxide leak at the school was evidently caused by human error, officials say. Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Erroll Davis says two maintenance workers were working on the furnace last Friday, but forgot to reopen a valve.
Davis said that the technicians didn't come forward, even after more than 40 children were taken to the hospital.
"We hold our employees to the highest ethical standards and we intend to address these issues swiftly," Davis said.
The district's associate superintendent, Steve Smith, also says state officials determined the leak was caused by human error.
"The state boiler inspector has determined that the cause of the carbon monoxide event was caused by the failure of the maintenance technicians to reopen a valve leading to the heat exchanger," said Smith.
Shawna Daniels was shocked to hear that it was human error and not mechanical failure that exposed her daughter to deadly carbon monoxide gas.
"It's just a sad, sad thing to hear now that someone was responsible for this and that it just wasn't an accident," said Daniels.
District officials ordered a new boiler for the school and say it will be installed in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, they're taking measures to make sure that this will never happen at any school in the district.
"Carbon monoxide detectors have been installed at Finch Elementary School, and the district is currently developing a plan to install carbon monoxide detectors across the entire district," said Smith.
The fire marshal said the building at Finch has been temporarily met the city's fire codes for occupancy, but they'll return to the campus once the new boiler is installed to inspect it.
More coverage: Carbon monoxide leak at Atlanta schoolMore>>
Tuesday, December 4 2012 8:11 AM EST2012-12-04 13:11:02 GMT
Atlanta Public Schools officials say Finch Elementary will remain closed on Tuesday after a carbon monoxide scare sent dozens of students to the hospital.
Atlanta Public Schools officials say Finch Elementary will remain closed after a carbon monoxide scare sent dozens of students to the hospital. Classes for the school's students will be held Tuesday at Kennedy Middle School.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:14 AM EDT2013-05-24 14:14:44 GMT
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times in 2012.
A judge has sentenced Michael Parson to the maximum of 35 years in jail for the attempted murder of his wife. On Thursday, Parson was convicted of shooting his wife, Adina, eight times outside their Sandy Springs apartment in 2011.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:52 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:52:10 GMT
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
The jury has found Michael Parson guilty on all eight counts in the shooting of his wife outside their Sandy Springs apartment.The woman, Adina Parson, survived after being shot eight times.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:40 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:40:32 GMT
Families of city workers are back at Atlanta City Hall this morning for a second day of protests. They're demanding bigger pay raises for police, firefighters and other first responders.
Families of city workers are back at Atlanta City Hall this morning for a second day of protests. They're demanding bigger pay raises for police, firefighters and other first responders.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:23 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:23:38 GMT
A Newton County teenager and his mom received the gift of mobility on Thursday, thanks to some Good Samaritans.
A Newton County teenager and his mom received the gift of mobility on Thursday, thanks to some Good Samaritans. Tyler Head was injured in a high school wrestling tournament in December, and getting back and forth to therapy is a vital to his recovery.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:44:36 GMT
The fox responsible for biting two Newton County elementary school students while they played on their school's playground remains on the loose.
The fox that bit two Newton County elementary school students while they played on the playground is still on the loose. Animal control authorities tell FOX 5 someone from Rocky Plains Elementary School reported a fox sighting on campus one day before the boys were attacked.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:23 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:23:33 GMT
New Jersey's education commissioner has overturned the firing of a high school athletic director who was caught on camera putting dog waste on his ex-wife's car.
New Jersey's education commissioner has overturned the firing of a high school athletic director who was caught on camera putting dog waste on his ex-wife's car.
Friday, May 24 2013 9:03 AM EDT2013-05-24 13:03:36 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not so perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this weekend following the destruction and rebuilding due to superstorm Sandy.
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Friday, May 24 2013 6:29 AM EDT2013-05-24 10:29:05 GMT
AP photo
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Actress Amanda Bynes was arrested Thursday for allegedly smoking marijuana in the lobby of her Midtown Manhattan building and throwing a marijuana bong out of a window, said police.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:17 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:17:32 GMT
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
New Jersey officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants, nearly half of them TGI Fridays, that they say sold low-quality liquor to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands.
Thursday, May 23 2013 10:11 PM EDT2013-05-24 02:11:26 GMT
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
An Edison, N.J., police officer was arrested and accused of setting fire to the home of a police captain in his department, according to the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office.
