An emergency situation forced the evacuation of schools at the Platte City campus of the Platte County R-3 School District last week.
On Friday, Aug. 29, the district was notified by the City of Platte City that a gas line was struck on Thomas Drive near the schools. The district later reported that, “Out of an abundance of caution, Siegrist Elementary students and staff were relocated to Platte City Middle School and Platte County High School students and staff were relocated to the Platte City YMCA.”
The district reported all students and staff were safe and there was no need for parents to come pick up their children. Media reports that some children were being treated for gas inhalation were incorrect.
Social media reports, however, characterize the situation as chaotic, with one parent claiming the district “lost” their child and others posting that students were not allowed to use their cell phones to contact their parents. Students were not allowed to access their cars in the student parking lot to leave and parents had difficulties reuniting with their children.