Power outage closes middle school early

VERMILION — Sailorway Middle School dismissed students early Tuesday after a partial power outage left the building without full electrical service. Superintendent Wes Weaver said the district learned from Ohio Edison that restoring power would not be a quick process, prompting officials to cancel school at the middle school for the remainder of the day. "There is no emergency and kids are safe," the district told parents. Weaver said buses were called over from the elementary school to begin transporting students home. Shortly after dismissal began, only a few students remained in the building. Bus riders began being transported home at 9:45 a.m. Parents who did not want their children to ride the bus or needed an alternate drop-off location were instructed to contact the school. Students who normally walk or ride bicycles were being released after school officials received permission from a parent or guardian. Parents or others listed on a student's contact list were also permitted to begin picking up students at 10 a.m. The district asked families for patience while staff worked to make sure students were dismissed safely and sent to the appropriate locations.