Gas leak forces temporary relocation of elementary school students in Goodlettsville

Local EducationNashville
Written By Sky Arnold

Goodlettsville’s Old Center Elementary students will once again need to attend classes in another school Wednesday.Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) initially relocated those students to Goodlettsville Elementary Tuesday on the advice of the Nashville Fire Department to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and faculty.The department advised the transition after a contractor drilled into a pocket of naturally occurring methane gas while drilling wells for geothermal heating and cooling Monday. This caused gas to vent from the well.Inspectors detected no gas at the main school building during initial testing overnight Monday, but the fire department has not cleared the Old Center building for use yet as the situation involving the gas pocket remains ongoing.“We appreciate the understanding and patience of all students, families, and staff while we seek to return to a normal operation at Old Center as soon as it is determined safe to do so,” wrote the district in a press release.The district transportation and relocation details for Wednesday are as follows:

  • Bus Riders: Old Center students who rely on bus transportation will be automatically rerouted to the temporary location at Goodlettsville Elementary.
  • Walkers: Students who typically walk to Old Center Elementary are asked to assemble at the Greenwood Cemetery across the street. Transportation will be provided to Goodlettsville Elementary.
  • Parent Drop-off: Parents who usually drop off their students at Old Center Elementary should plan to take their children to the new temporary location at Goodlettsville Elementary.
  • Staff Relocation: All staff members at Old Center Elementary are instructed to report to their new temporary workplace at Goodlettsville Elementary.

MNPS students will not report to school on Thursday, September 14.  Students across the district are out because of the election and it will be a professional development day for school staff.

Sky Arnold

Sky serves as the Managing Editor of the Tennessee Fireflly. He’s a veteran television journalist with two decades of experience covering news in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Tennessee where he covered government for Fox 17 News in Nashville and WBBJ in Jackson. He’s a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and a big supporter of the Oklahoma Sooners.

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