HOLLAND, MI - West Ottawa Public Schools reassured parents Monday, Feb. 7, that the burning rubber smell from a broken elevator motor at the high school poses no danger and that the air quality inside the building is fine.

"The Park Township Fire Department assessed the situation and air quality," according to the letter sent to parents. No fire was reported.

Greg Warsen, assistant superintendent for employee relations and marketing, said some students went home due to the smell.

According to the district, late Sunday night, the motor in the elevator in the academic wing of the North building seized up, creating the smell that's lingered. The maintenance department discovered the problem at 5:45 a.m. Monday and immediately began clearing the air via the ventilation system.

Warsen said the district is using its ventilation system as well as fans to address the smell and is working on the elevator motor.

In the letter, the district thanked families for their patience as they deal with this situation.

"We will always do what is in the best interest of our students."



Monica Scott is the Grand Rapids K-12 education writer. Email her at mscott2@mlive.com and follow her on Twitter @MScottGR or Facebook