Amsterdam, NY – The Greater Amsterdam School District announced that Lynch Literacy Academy will remain closed on Friday, Oct. 30, after a strong odor emanating from work being done in the school’s gymnasium forced an early dismissal of students on Thursday.

Early dismissal and safety precautions

According to a notice posted by the school’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), staff decided to send students home early on Thursday afternoon when the odor was first detected. District officials reassessed the building that evening and determined the smell persisted, prompting the decision to keep the academy closed the following day.

Impact on the district

The closure applies only to Lynch Literacy Academy. All other schools in the Greater Amsterdam School District are expected to operate on their normal schedules, and parents were advised to make alternate arrangements for their children on Friday.

Next steps

School officials said they will continue to monitor conditions in the gymnasium and work with maintenance crews to identify the source of the odor. They aim to have the building safe for a return to classes on Monday, Nov. 2.

The notice did not specify what type of work was being performed in the gymnasium or the exact cause of the odor. Parents and community members are encouraged to stay informed through district communications and the PTO’s updates.

For further information, families can contact the Greater Amsterdam School District office or visit the district’s website.

Original reporting: CBS 6 WRGB Albany (local) — read the source article.