West Valley school back in session today following propane leak closure

School was canceled for West Valley School on Monday after a propane leak was discovered over the weekend.

West Valley Fire Department responded to the call at 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Crews worked quickly to fix the problem and school is anticipated to resume today.

School was closed due to a lack of heat to most of the building and no hot water while the propane tank was shut off to do repairs.

West Valley School Superintendent Cal Ketchum said maintenance staff initially shut off the propane, but couldn’t determine where a leak was occurring Saturday. When maintenance crews returned Sunday and turned on the propane they discovered the gas odor was coming from a pipe located on the school roof. Ketchum said the pipe, which runs across the roof, may have become dislodged at a joint because of recent weather — possibly from an ice dam.

Ketchum said the school will check into if there are ways to avoid a similar incident in the future, but noted that the pipe was installed to code.

“It has a lot to do with all the snow we’ve gotten,” Ketchum said. “It’s unfortunate, just the perfect storm I guess.”

According to the school’s website as of press time Monday night, school would resume today.

“We’re not going to open school unless 100 percent certain everything is OK,” Ketchum said.

For more information and updates on a make-up day, visit http://www.westvalleyschool.com or call 406-755-7239.