ORANGE TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Around 30 students from Mapleton Middle School were hospitalized on Friday after telling school staff they felt ill, according to Ashland County sheriff Kurt Schneider.
Schneider said that at around 10:21 a.m., a middle school student became sick and went to the medical staff at the school.
A school resource officer was made aware of the student's condition and helped the medical staff assess the student. While that happened, other students reportedly had similar symptoms, the sheriff explained.
Schneider said the symptoms sounded similar to those of a common flu or Carbon Monoxide exposure: dizziness, lightheaded, cough, and tingling of hands and feet.
EMS was notified, responded to the scene, and transported "about 30" students to seven local hospitals in five counties, said the sheriff.
”At this point, I think they’re all fine," said Schneider.
Out of precaution, Superintendent Scott Smith said the middle school and high school were evacuated.
According to Schneider, the sheriff's office is working with medical personnel to get the latest updates on the condition of the students, and he said that nothing is being ruled out.
Schneider said preliminary facts from the investigation don't support any criminal elements in association with the incident. He added there are no threats to the students, staff or school building at this time.
Initial reports suggested carbon monoxide, but Schneider stated that fire personnel had checked the building and given it the all clear.
In a statement, Columbia Gas said that it responded to the scene, performed a safety check and determined there was no natural gas leak.
Smith said that both buildings have been reopened and cleared for students to retrieve their personal belongings. They can enter through the middle school or high school entrance until 6 p.m. The football game at Wellington will continue as scheduled, said Smith.
He added his gratitude for everyone's teamwork.
"We thank our students, staff, families, and first responders for their cooperation and support during today’s emergency. Please know that the safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority," Smith said.
News 5 also spoke to one of the high school students who was evacuated on Friday.
“It’s not a fun situation. You never want to see that your child is getting taken to the hospital,” said Braylon Goon, a senior at Mapleton High School.
The last first start of Goon’s high school experience is not going quite as the senior said he imagined after Goon said he and other Mapleton Middle and High School students were told to clear out.
Meanwhile, Lexi Parks said her 12-year-old daughter was rushed to the hospital.
Now, Parks said she’s recovering at their home.
“She was in Medina County, so it’s a county away from us. I wouldn’t have even known where to go if I didn’t know somebody at the school,” said Parks.
At the time of our interview, Parks said she had yet to hear anything from district officials and claimed the doctor didn’t know what her daughter was experiencing when her daughter was admitted.
“You can’t even have the decency to cancel the (freaking) football game. That’s more important than checking on these kids and figuring out what’s wrong with the school? They’ve done nothing, but yet we’re the problem,” said Parks. “They’re all having these same symptoms and the school’s just trying to push it off like they all had panic attacks.”
As the investigation continues, parents like Jennifer Miller said the district did what it needed to get students out of the building.
“I feel for this never happening at this school they did the best that they could,” said Miller.
“The parents are overreacting. The kids are crazy. That’s wrong,” said Parks.
Outside of their concerns, parents are also calling on the school district to come up with better measures to get in contact with them during situations like this one.
