Bacteria In Water Closes High School

Bacteria detected in drinking water during routine monthly testing prompted Principal Jess Kennison to call off classes Monday at Shoshone-Bannock Junior-Senior High School.

“For safety, the principal made the decision,” Ron Seckel, the school district’s finance director, said.

Officials were trying to determine the cause of bacteria in the school’s chlorination system. The system includes a water tower supplied by two wells.

Meanwhile, officials waited to see whether laboratory analysis of a second water sample taken Monday would show that the water was clean or tainted. They also sought a contractor to supply bottled water for students, teachers and the staff to drink so classes could resume Tuesday if the tap water remained unsafe.