Building houses alternative programs at AHS, district vows to contact families by Friday
UPDATE: Thursday, Aug. 21
The Ashland School Board met in an emergency session on Thursday, Aug. 21, after announcing earlier that the Lincoln School was closed by the city’s Fire Marshal after a fire inspection.
According to Ashland Public Schools’ Thursday press release, arrangements are being made for students enrolled in the two programs at the Lincoln School, dubbed “Thoreau and Catalyst.” The press release noted that the families of students enrolled in the programs will be contacted directly on Friday, Aug. 22, with details about where their child’s program will be held.
Details regarding the reason for the closure remain unclear. The press release stated that the district is reviewing the fire marshal’s report, but the district noted that there were no“visible signs of structural concerns” before the inspection. The inspection was held on Thursday, Aug. 21, at the Lincoln School, located at 320 Beach St.
“We are thankful this inspection occurred before the start of the school year,” said Superintendent Dr. Joseph Hattrick. “It allows us to make adjustments now so that our students can begin their year safely and without disruption. Our first responsibility is always to the health and safety of our students, and we are moving quickly to ensure they are well supported.”
— Steve Mitchell, Ashland.news
ORIGINAL POST:
Ashland.news staff report
Lincoln School, which was planned to house Ashland High School’s alternative programs known as “Thoreau and Catalyst” as well as two specialized programs at 320 Beach St., has been found to be unsafe by Oregon Fire Marshal Mark Shay during a walk-through of the building on Thursday.
Ashland School Board is holding an emergency board session at 6 p.m. at Ashland School District’s office 885 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland to consider its closure and next steps in light of the start of school on Monday, Aug. 25.
“We are thankful this inspection occurred before the start of the school year,” said Superintendent Joseph Hattrick in a news released issued late afternoon on Thursday. “It allows us to make adjustments now so that our students can begin their year safely and without disruption. Our first responsibility is always to the health and safety of our students, and we are moving quickly to ensure they are well supported.”
The meeting, to be held in the district conference room, is open to the public.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Reach Ashland.news reporter Holly Dillemuth at hollyd@ashland.news.
Aug. 22: Corrected Mark Shay’s title; he’s the Ashland, not state, fire marshal.
