MEADOW HEIGHTS STUDENTS GET DAY OFF

PATTON, Mo. -- Students attending summer school at Meadow Heights got an unexpected day off Tuesday after lightening struck a control panel at the school.

Superintendent Duane Schindler said bad weather Monday night caused an electrical failure at the school. Maintenance staff arriving for work early Tuesday found the district's private well inoperable. After some research they learned a control panel that powered the well had been struck by lightening and destroyed.

Classes were then canceled until a new panel can be delivered and installed at a cost of $300. Classes were to resume today.

"It was blackened. When they took it apart you could see where it had been hit and arced and no longer worked," said Schindler. We'd rather have to spend in other ways, but it's not a bad expense."

Summer school began May 24 and was scheduled to end today, but the one-day vacation means classes won't be dismissed until Thursday. About one-third of the district's 640 students are attending summer school this year.

"It certainly is an inconvenience, but it will not be a problem if we make up the day," Schindler said.