Ohio - About 30 students hospitalized in Ashland county with headache, nausea, dizziness - 2 schools evacuated - August 29, 2025

[sharon sanders]

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Mapleton School Superintendent Scott Smith, in a letter to school district families: "Several Mapleton Middle School students experienced symptoms including headache, nausea, and dizziness. Out of an abundance of caution, both Mapleton Middle School and Mapleton High School were evacuated to ensure the safety of all students and staff."​

more....https://www.newsweek.com/dozens-students-hospitalized-schools-evacuated-ohio-what-know-2121894

 

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Mapleton Local Schools's post

​Mapleton Local Schools
21h ·
8.29.25 Incident Update

Dear Mapleton Families,

This message provides an update regarding the evacuation of Mapleton Middle Schooland Mapleton High School on Friday, August 29, 2025, following student illnesses that occurred on campus.

First and foremost, the safety and well-being of our nearly 1,000 students and staff on campus that day was our highest priority. District staff and administration followed our Emergency Operations Plan, which included evacuating both buildings, accounting for every student and staff member, and beginning the reunification process. Our thoughts and prayers are with the students and families who were directly affected by this incident.

Our response unfolded on two levels. Internally, Mapleton staff implemented emergency protocols for evacuation due to what appeared to be potential environmental contaminants. During this time, three Mapleton Middle School students experienced symptoms including headache, nausea, and dizziness spread out over a thirty minute period of time. The accounting of students and staff at the safe location was complicated due to the fact that Mapleton High School students were at lunch during the evacuation and not in a regular classroom setting, but the necessary adjustments were made and communicated during the evacuation. After the building evacuations, another 30 students experienced varying symptoms and conditions that required medical attention. Externally, we immediately partnered with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and the Nankin/Orange Township Fire Department. A multi-county response quickly followed, including the Ashland County Emergency Management Agency, Ashland County Health Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Polk Jackson Perry Fire Department, Savannah Fire Department, Ashland City Fire Department, and Firelands Ambulance Service. A complete list of agencies will be compiled following a formal debrief and review of the incident in the coming weeks.

We recognize the frustrations some families experienced during this incident, especially related to communication. Although several factors contributed to these challenges, we understand how difficult it was for families who were seeking timely and accurate information. Moving forward, we are committed to reviewing our protocols and procedures, particularly those connected to communication, timeliness, and overall response, to identify areas for improvement and strengthen how we handle emergency situations. Our priority is to ensure families remain informed and supported whenever a critical situation occurs.

Following the evacuation, multiple agencies conducted extensive inspections and testing to identify any possible source of the illnesses. The Nankin/Orange Township Fire Department conducted a sweep of the building to detect any gas or carbon monoxide issues, and Columbia Gas completed additional testing for a potential gas leak. The Rural Lorain County Water Authority collected water samples to be analyzed. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office inspected the building for potential chemical contamination while also investigating possible commonalities among the affected students, including, but not limited to food, water, air, building location, and transportation. Although some results have come back negative, inconclusive, or remain unknown at this time, we are committed to finding the root cause of the illnesses.

We understand that some parents, students and staff may feel apprehensive about returning to campus on Tuesday. Please know that we share those concerns and take them seriously. The safety and well-being of our students and staff remains our highest priority, and no building will reopen unless it is cleared to be safe by the appropriate agencies. We remain committed to determining whether there is a specific root cause to the illnesses and will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. A team of individuals from multiple agencieswill inspect, test and monitor the building on Monday, September 1, 2025. The results of this inspection will determine next steps and whether the buildings will be open on Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Another update will be sent out on Monday to provide additional information.

Two years ago, the Mapleton Local School District conducted a safety drill that simulated a very similar scenario: a gas leak in a high school science lab. That drill emphasized evacuation, the accounting for all Mapleton Middle School and Mapleton High School students and staff at the safe location, and reunification, while Mapleton Elementary School practiced sheltering in place. On Friday, those same preparedness measures were put into action. Students and staff responded calmly and appropriately, adjusting as needed while significant challenges arose throughout the day. We are proud of how our students and staff handled this event with resilience and composure. We are equally grateful to our families, community, and the many law enforcement officers and first responders who acted swiftly and professionally to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
Sincerely,

**Scott Smith** Superintendent
Mapleton Local School District​

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Mapleton Local Schools's post​

Mapleton Local Schools


18h ·
Incident Update 9.1.25

Mapleton Families,

This message provides an update regarding the status of the Mapleton campus following the evacuation of Mapleton Middle School and Mapleton High School on Friday, August 29, 2025 as a result of student illnesses. Following a thorough investigation by the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office along with representatives from the Nankin/Orange Township Fire District, Savannah Fire District, Columbia Gas, CCG Automation, and Mapleton maintenance and administration, the Mapleton Local School District campus has been cleared for normal operations.

With this confirmation, classes will resume for all Mapleton students tomorrow, Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

We understand that recent events may have caused concern for students, parents, and staff. Please know that the safety and well-being of our Mapleton community remains our highest priority.

Scott Smith
Superintendent
Mapleton Local School District
​
September 1, 2025

Mapleton School Incident – Friday, August 29, 2025

UPDATE

Good afternoon. Over the past several days, a thorough investigation into the events at the Mapleton School District has been ongoing. This investigation has been a collaborative effort with the Mapleton School District and several public safety agencies in five (5) counties. Numerous agencies have been actively tracking down information which has been compiled. Currently we are sifting through all the data for any information which may explain the concerning events of Friday, August 29, 2025. Today, the Mapleton School District Community should be confident there is no inherent risk to the safety of the students and staff while occupying the Mapleton School Building.

A total of 43 confirmed students were transported to seven (7) regional hospitals in five (5) counties. As of today, I am not aware of any life-threatening conditions or illnesses. I urge any family members of these students, or members of the community who have information pertaining to the incident, to contact the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office at (419)289-3911. The Ashland County Health Department epidemiologist may be contacting parents for more medical information as they seek to rule out possible causes for the symptoms.

The collective fact gathering investigation included cooperation from the following Agencies:

Ashland County Health Department
Columbia Gas
Rural Lorain County Water Authority
Mapleton School District Maintenance Department and Administration
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office
Huron County Sheriff’s Office
Medina County Sheriff’s Office
Wayne County Sheriff’s Office
Richland County Sheriff’s Office
Ashland City Police Division
Savannah Fire Department
Polk, Jackson, Perry Fire District
Nankin, Orange Twp. Fire District
City of Ashland Fire Division
Sullivan Fire Department
Firelands EMS

Results of fact gathering:

- Columbia Gas conducted sampling of the environment on the day of the incident and on Monday, September 1, 2025. The results of their sampling did not reveal any evidence of carbon monoxide exposure or poisoning, and there were no appliances within the building improperly functioning which would contribute to increased levels of carbon monoxide.
- Rural Lorain County Water Authority conducted sampling of the water inside of the building on Friday, August 29, 2025. No evidence of water contamination or adverse samples were noted during their examination, and chlorine levels were within normal range.
- Contact was made with the coordinating physician at University Hospital Ashland, who was coordinating information sharing for the students who were transported to hospitals on Friday, August 29th . A preliminary report from the Medical Coordinator indicated there was no evidence of drug toxicity with any of the students who were treated. Additional investigation is being conducted in coordination with the medical professionals and patients.
- Interviews were conducted with the students who were transported to local hospitals. Sheriff’s Office Detectives in Ashland, Huron, Medina, Richland and Wayne Counties, as well as from the City of Ashland Police Division, conducted these interviews. Information gleaned from these interviews did not identify any patterns of personal contact between the students who were experiencing symptoms at the school.
- Interviews were conducted with the staff members in the school at the time of the incident. There were no reports of staff members experiencing the same symptoms as the students and no staff members were treated by EMS or at any of the local hospitals.
- Video surveillance footage was reviewed by Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and Mapleton School District Staff. There is no evidence of coordinated student, staff or intruder activities leading up to the incident.
- Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and Mapleton School District personnel conducted a thorough protective sweep of the interior of the building for foreign objects or devices which may have been involved in the incident. Nothing unusual was located during the protective sweep.
- Information was obtained from the Mapleton School District Staff who indicated there was no maintenance being performed on any of the natural gas fueled appliances. There were no deliveries of chemicals, solvents or caustic materials on the day of the incident.

In closing, I would ask the public to be patient and understanding. We are continuing the investigation and collection of data and information. We will not stop making inquires until such time all information that can be obtained has been collected. These types of investigations are complex and can take extended periods of time to comb through voluminous amounts of data and information. Once all of the data and information has been evaluated, we will provide a detailed analysis of our findings. I reiterate to the public that the building is safe and there’s no supporting evidence suggesting otherwise.

Kurt J. Schneider
Ashland County Sheriff​

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