ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – Attendance was lower than normal at Covington Middle School Monday, March 31 and Tuesday, April 1 after an unknown odor was detected, according to Alleghany Highlands Public Schools.
AHPS says the descriptions of this odor were consistent with the odor that was detected January 31, 2025, leading to several weeks of virtual learning while the school was examined.
Many concerned parents checked their students out Monday and kept them home Tuesday due to the odor, according to AHPS.
AHPS says the odor was detected again Tuesday, but disappeared quickly, and no further actions were determined necessary at the time.
Students were not evacuated Monday, but were moved to another location in the building to help them concentrate on schoolwork, according to AHPS. AHPS sent a robocall to parents with an update Monday at 11:20 a.m.
The Covington Police Chief and Emergency Manager also went to the building Monday to assess the situation firsthand and independently determined there was no immediate cause for action, according to AHPS.
The school board met Monday night in a closed session to seek legal advice from their legal counsel.
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