Tests have confirmed the odor that forced the closing of Westland High School most of last week did not originate in any of the building’s systems or equipment.

South-Western City Schools Superintendent Bill Wise held a Feb. 20 press conference at the school, 146 Galloway Road, about the odor that sent several students and staff to local hospitals.

Also speaking were Prairie Township Fire Department chief Stephen Feustel, district coordinator of property services Mike Waller, Franklin County Health Commissioner Susan Tilger, and representatives from outside consulting companies Tony Furst of Heapy Engineering and Shawn Ansbro and Karrie Bontrager of Lawhon and Associates.

“At this point, it is clear that we have been unable to identify a cause,” Wise said. “We are confident that all our systems are operating normally.”

No odor or symptoms were reported since Feb. 14, he said.

Closed since Feb. 14, Westland reopened for classes Feb. 21. Wise had said the district would continue to test the building's environment before, during and after the school day. He also said the school has used all of its calamity days.

The school was first evacuated the morning of Feb. 13 after an odor was detected in one of the classrooms.

Results on Feb. 13 indicated that all systems were operating appropriately, with no indication of any substance that could be harmful to students or staff, Wise said. The district reopened Westland on Tuesday and received another report of an odor in the same area by midmorning. Two more people were taken to the hospital, and the school again was closed.

Waller described the odor as chemical. Some said the odor gave them a metallic taste in their mouths.

Furst said the afternoon of Feb. 14 was spent conducing evaluations, which included examining the building's air, boiler, plumbing and sanitary and air conditioning systems. During their entire investigation, he said all mechanical equipment was found to be operating exactly prescribed by code.

For more on this story, see the Feb. 23 edition of the Grove City Record.