Newton, Kansas – The Newton Unified School District confirmed Wednesday that Newton High School will be closed because of a power outage that struck the building early Thursday morning. The outage appears to be isolated to the high school; the district said elementary and middle schools will operate normally and students are expected to attend their regular classes.
Outage details and weather context
District officials have not yet identified the cause of the power loss. The timing follows a severe weather system that moved through the area Tuesday night, bringing heavy rain and strong winds. According to the National Weather Service, the storm produced scattered showers and gusts that continued into the early hours of Wednesday.
Storm Team 12 issued a brief advisory noting that the showers and storms are expected to be intermittent throughout the day. While the weather remains unsettled, the district is monitoring conditions closely and will provide updates if additional schools are affected.
Impact on students and families
Superintendent Dr. Mark Anderson emphasized that the district is working with utility providers to restore power as quickly as possible. “Our priority is the safety and education of our students,” Anderson said. “We are coordinating with the power company to get the high school back online, and we will keep families informed of any changes to the schedule.”
Students assigned to classes at Newton High School are advised to check the district’s website and social media channels for real‑time updates. Parents are encouraged to arrange alternative transportation or childcare if needed, as the high school’s closure may affect after‑school activities and transportation routes.
What the district is doing
The district’s communications office has set up a dedicated hotline for parents seeking information about the outage and its impact on school operations. In addition, teachers are preparing supplemental online resources so that high‑school students can continue coursework from home once power is restored.
Local emergency services have been briefed on the situation, and the district is coordinating with the Newton Police Department to ensure campus security while the building remains without power.
Looking ahead
While the high school remains closed for the day, the district plans to resume normal operations on Thursday, assuming power is restored by then. The school board will review the incident at its next meeting to discuss any needed improvements to the district’s emergency preparedness plan.
Community members are reminded that the district’s website, Twitter feed (@NewtonUSD) and Facebook page will provide the most current information regarding school status and any further weather‑related disruptions.
Original reporting: KWCH 12 (Gray) – local — read the source article.
