Hernando High closed after water main breaks

BROOKSVILLE — A water main break at Hernando High has prompted school officials to send students home early.

Superintendent Bryan Blavatt said he made the decision at about 12:30 p.m. to close the school early after the break caused the campus to lose water pressure.

The pipe was expected to be fixed in time for classes to resume Tuesday, officials said.

The district used its automated telephone system to notify parents, using emergency numbers listed in the system, said principal Ken Pritz. Students were boarding buses by about 1:15 p.m., Pritz said. Normal dismissal time is 2:36 p.m.

Pritz said he had at least some reports from parents that the phone notification system did not work correctly.

Crews were working this morning on a leaking water line on the campus when it blew apart, said Barry Crowley, the district's safety and security director. Some water pressure was restored, Crowley said, but according to Pritz, the school still did not have enough pressure to operate sinks and toilets, so staffers escorted students to use the restrooms at the nearby football stadium. That prompted Blavatt to make the decision to dismiss students early.

"It's not a real good idea to have kids in school when you don't have water," Blavatt said.

Tony Marrero can be reached at (352) 848-1431 or tmarrero@sptimes.com.