UPDATE: Power restored at La Grande Middle School following transformer failure
LA GRANDE — Classes at La Grande Middle School looked a little different than normal on Monday, May 6, due to a power outage.
Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative alerted the school district at 11:40 a.m. about an imminent failure of a transformer near the middle school campus, according to a press release from the La Grande School District. Power was restored shortly before 1:30 p.m.
"We are grateful to OTEC for their quick and efficient response to this outage," the press release said.
According to OTEC, the malfunctioning transformer necessitated a replacement, leaving the school without power for approximately two hours.
During the outage, La Grande Middle School initiated a modified lockout protocol, restricting student movement to within the school building while maintaining regular class schedules. Teachers adjusted their planned lessons to accommodate the lack of power and preceded with the day.
Parents were given the option to pick up their children during the duration of the power outage, and student attendance was excused, the school district said. However, due to the outage, parents were required to physically come to the middle school to check out their students since electronic communication systems, including phones and computers, were not operational.
The middle school proceeded with its normal schedule after power was restored.
"We appreciate the patience and flexibility of our staff, students, and families during this outage and are excited for a normal student release at the end of the school day," the release said.
