VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A recent complaint regarding air quality at Terre Haute South High School was enough to cause an inspection by members of the state’s Environmental Public Health Division of the Department of Health.

That’s according to officials with the Vigo County School Corporation, who said they performed their own inspection coinciding with the state inspection that both found a “damper” to be malfunctioning in the building. Those inspections were triggered after concern was raised.

“Once the concern was brought to our attention we began an internal review, this was done
before receiving the state’s final report,” Superintendent Dr. Chris Himsel explains. “Our results
came back that a damper was not working properly in one wing of the school. Regardless of the
state’s report, we needed to make that repair. The state’s findings were consistent with our
team’s report, so the matter was resolved before it was an issue.”

A VCSC news release also blamed statewide high temperatures and poor air quality for part of the issue.

Superintendent Himsel assured parents and area residents that the organization is proactively making maintenance inspections and preparing for the return of warmer temperatures to the area following the Labor Day holiday.

Himsel also mentioned that contrary to “misinformation spread via social media” all of the VCSC buildings have working air conditioning.

“We know next week is going to be hot and we’re working to stay ahead of it,” Himsel said.
“With extreme temperatures HVAC units have to work overtime, and that is not an isolated issue
within the Vigo County School Corporation, that was an issue all over the area. Our crews are
doing spot checks in buildings to make sure things are working properly. We believe we are in
good shape and prepared for the next wave.”

Read the full VCSC release below;