Schools Superintendent: Electrical Malfunction and State Education Rules Close Hindley School Friday

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Hindley School won’t be in session tomorrow because the school’s electric system broke down (causing the fire alarm to go off) due to Tropical Storm Ida, Superintendent Alan Addley said Thursday in a message to parents and staff.

Students and staff were evacuated from the building.

The electrical system — specifically something called the “generator transfer switch” — wasn’t able to be fixed Thursday, Addley said, because there is so much demand for repair work in the area — again, due to Ida — that a licensed electrician wasn’t available Thursday to fix the problem.

By the time the long Labor Day weekend is over (lengthened by a day because of the Rosh Hashanah Jewish holiday on Tuesday), Hindley should be open with the rest of the schools in the district on Wednesday, Addley said.

The lost day will have to be made up later in the school year, because state rules mandate that school days lost for weather-related reasons don’t count toward the minimum number of days schools must be open in each school year, the superintendent said. And the school day can’t be converted into a remote learning day, because the state doesn’t allow that for weather-related reasons, either, he said.

“We will provide you with an update when the permission to return to school has been granted,” Addley said. “Thank you for your understanding and I wish you an enjoyable extended long weekend.”

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Full Text of Addley’s Message to Hindley Parents and Staff

Darienite.com received this message in a link from an email sent at 7:42 p.m.:

Sept. 2, 2021

Dear Hindley Families & Staff,

Good evening. Thank you for getting your child(ren) to school today after yet another storm.

Prior to dismissal today, the fire alarm was triggered at Hindley Elementary School due to a short circuit in the generator transfer switch. All staff and students exited the building safely.

Following inspection of the site, the Building Inspector determined the school must
remain closed for staff and students until the electrical system can be verified as safe by a licensed electrician.

Given the significant damage across the State and the demand for contractors, the
earliest this work can be completed is tomorrow. The State prohibits remote learning for closures due to inclement weather; hence, the school will be closed tomorrow, Friday Sept. 3.

We anticipate the school reopening after the long holiday weekend on Wednesday,
September 8. We will provide you with an update when the permission to return to
school has been granted. The lost day of school will be made up at a future date to be determined.

Thank you for your understanding and I wish you an enjoyable extended long weekend.

Yours,
Alan Addley, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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