Malfunctioning AC prompts brief evacuation at Stewart

WASHINGTON — First-grade students at Stewart Elementary evacuated their wing of the building Tuesday morning after staff detected smoke and smelled burning plastic, according to an email sent to families in the Washington school district.

In the email, Superintendent Willie Stone said the issue was caused by a malfunctioning air conditioner unit, as determined by the Washington Fire Department. While the fire department and staff from Alliant Energy gave the school an all-clear to reenter the wing, Stone said the school was still taking some precautions.

“As a precaution, students from the affected classroom have been relocated to another room within the building while repairs are being completed,” he said. “TRANE, Our HVAC contractor, is scheduled to work on the malfunctioning unit today to ensure everything is working properly.”

In the same email, Stone thanked responders from the fire department and Alliant for “their swift response” to the issue.

Stone and Stewart Principal Mike Marsden did not immediately reply to an email requesting comments.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com