RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — An unusual smell is forcing a Richland One school to hold an "e-learning" day as officials work to determine the cause and control it.
In a note sent to parents of Brennen Elementary School students, the principal said the move to e-learning is precautionary as district staff and external vendors work to eliminate the smell. Already, air samples have come back showing no elevated mold presence. The school district said tests also showed normal carbon dioxide levels.
The school district said officials have closed off the classroom where the smell appears to have originated and are performing air scrubbing of the location with the addition of carbon filtration.
Aside from classes, the e-learning day will also impact a play performance, moving to A.C. Flora's auditorium on Thursday and Friday evenings. The change will also affect students involved in the Special Olympics meet at Keenan High School. School officials said they would also contact the parents of students involved in the event individually with logistical details. However, officials assured parents and students that the changes wouldn't prevent them from participating in the event.
Meanwhile, parents who need to pick up a meal for their Brennen students can do so at the district's central kitchen at 1224 Whitney Street between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.