Officials from the Greenwood School District met this morning with Bankston Elementary School parents to discuss the district’s reaction to a medical emergency at Bankston on Friday.
One student, a sixth-grade girl, had to be resuscitated using CPR by school nurse Melissa Homolik after falling ill during recess early Friday afternoon.
Other students at the school also began to feel ill and were taken to Greenwood Leflore Hospital for evaluation, several by ambulance. District officials said these students were screened by doctors but did not require any additional treatment and were released.
School officials have said that more than 20 students suffered from anxiety-related ailments after seeing their classmate take ill.
Superintendent Montrell Greene, Bankston Principal Kirby Love and Communications Director Margaret Dean answered parent questions at the meeting, which was held in the school’s auditorium.
A number of parents expressed concern over the way they were notified of the situation at the school. Police officers, firefighters, ambulances and other emergency responders were dispatched to the school.
Several parents used the phrase “almost had a heart attack” to describe their reaction to the scene.
Greene said the district hopes to develop a better emergency notification system. However, he added that district officials were unable to inform parents Friday because they were busy trying to determine the cause of the illnesses themselves.
“We are going to put a better system in place for the future,” Greene said. “But even with that, you have to know that unfortunately, when there is an unfolding situation — we didn’t know.”
Initially, there was speculation that there might be a gas leak, chemical spill, food contamination or carbon monoxide. After authorities thoroughly checked the building, though, those issues were ruled out.
Other parents said their children were scared to return to school.
Love said he planned to speak with each class to address any concerns and to reassure the children. He added that school counselors are available to meet with students and that Life Help had offered to provide additional counselors if needed.
“This is major. We’re taking this seriously,” Greene said.
Greene added that, although some parents might disagree with the steps being taken to ensure safety, the district is acting with the best interest of children in mind.
“Many of you might do the job differently, but we have to ask for your trust,” Greene said. “We’re going to make the best decisions and spare no expense to do what we need to do to make sure are schools are safe.”
Love added that, at his request, the Greenwood Fire Department postponed a fire drill scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today.
“I didn’t think we needed more fire trucks here this morning,” he said.
Greene said he could not comment on the status of the girl who needed to be resuscitated, but he did say she was still receiving medical attention.
