GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A staff in-service day incidentally saved Grand Rapids Public Schools from canceling classes Monday but Tuesday was another question until noon today.
GRPS announced no classes will be held Tuesday, March 19, due to the on-going boil water advisory in effect in Grand Rapids.
“The boil water advisory has had a huge impact on school operations districtwide so we have decided to close all schools on Tuesday so that we can address this matter,” GRPS Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby said. “Cancelling school for any reason is always a challenging decision. The health, safety, and well-being of our scholars must be at the forefront of our planning.”
Water must be boiled before consumption on the northeast side of town until at least Wednesday after a break in the system shut off water to about 20,000 customers Sunday.
The district told FOX 17 that no classes were being held Monday due to a scheduled in-service day for staff. Staff at these locations shifted to a remote in-service day.
GRPS buildings within the Boil Water Advisory
- Aberdeen Elementary
- Center for Economicology
- City High Middle
- Coit Creative Arts Academy
- Congress Elementary
- East Leonard Elementary
- Gerald R. Ford Academic Center
- Grand Rapids Learning Center
- Grand Rapids Montessori Academy
- Grand Rapids Montessori Middle High
- Grand Rapids Public Museum High School
- Grand Rapids UPrep
- Innovation Central High School
- Kent Hills Elementary
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy
- North Park Montessori | Wellerwood
- Palmer Elementary
- Riverside Middle School
- GRPS Nutrition Services Building
- GRPS Facilities & Operations Building
- GRPS University
Water samples are being sent to Michigan's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for testing, and must come back with clean results for 2 days in a row before water will be deemed safe for consumption.
“Our first goal is always safety. That all be the focus of any decision we make. We’ll be gathering as a leadership and operations teams to determine the appropriate next steps for the district,” Dr. Roby said in a notice released by the district. “We are grateful for our partners at the City of Grand Rapids for keeping us informed as we navigate this situation as a community.”
You can keep up with closings during this issue on our closings page or in the FOX 17 App.
