The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) Alleghany Highlands Public Schools faces a possible $14,290 fine and multiple citations. This comes following a state investigation into the recent carbon monoxide leak incident at Covington Middle School. The gas leak closed the school and caused nearly 200 students and employees to seek medical attention in January of this year.
The Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program (VOSH) conducted an
inspection in May after a complaint from an employee, uncovering five critical violations at Covington Middle School that expose significant safety lapses in the school’s infrastructure and emergency preparedness. Primary citations include the district’s failure to install functioning carbon monoxide detectors, a direct violation of safety regulations that left students and staff vulnerable to being exposed to the potentially fatal gas.
Investigators also found the school lacked a proper hazard communication program. Additional violations revealed improperly maintained fire extinguishers, further highlighting systemic safety management issues within the school district.
The investigation finds that AHPS leaders were aware for years that carbon monoxide detectors were legally required but failed to take appropriate action. Only after the January leak exposed their
shortcomings did the district spend thousands of dollars purchasing detectors for all schools.
The carbon monoxide incident in January resulted in a widespread medical response, with nearly 200 students and employees seeking treatment at local hospitals.
Despite the severity of the event, a judge ruled in April that the school would remain open, rejecting injunctions filed by concerned parents. School administrators maintain the building is safe, citing extensive environmental and technical studies. State and health officials, however, noted a potential baseline level of carbon monoxide in the City of Covington that might explain elevated gas levels in residents’ blood tests. A spokesperson for AHPS emphasized that the VOSH notification is merely the first step in a longer process.
The investigation raises critical questions about the district’s long-term commitment to student and staff safety. Parent groups have been vocal in their criticism, questioning why essential safety measures were repeatedly overlooked.
VOSH’s findings suggest negligence that potentially endangered hundreds of students and staff. The proposed fine represents not just a financial penalty but a stark reminder of the critical importance of maintaining rigorous safety standards in public buildings.
Alleghany Highlands Public Schools now faces a critical decision: contest the findings, pay the possible fine, or implement comprehensive safety reforms to prevent future incidents. As the investigation continues, the Covington Middle School carbon monoxide leak serves as a sobering reminder of the paramount importance of proactive safety management in schools.
The Alleghany Highlands Public Schools is expected to respond formally to the VOSH citations in the coming weeks, with potential long-term implications for its safety protocols and administrative practices.
