COLCHESTER, CT — An electrical malfunction at Colchester Elementary School (CES) on Sunday morning has led to a two-hour delay for all Colchester Public Schools on Monday, May 19, 2025. The incident has also necessitated the temporary relocation of CES students to other district facilities.
Incident Overview
Emergency responders were dispatched to CES around 11:30 a.m. Sunday following reports of a possible fire. Upon arrival, crews discovered that overheating equipment in the school’s server room had caused a failure in the main switch gear, subsequently damaging the electrical meter. The malfunction resulted in significant smoke filling the server room and adjacent areas, rendering parts of the building temporarily uninhabitable.
Immediate Response and Safety Measures
In response to the incident, power to the building was shut off to prevent further hazards. The district has initiated an assessment involving Eversource, their insurance adjuster, and facilities staff to determine the extent of the damage and the timeline for necessary repairs. As a precaution, all Colchester Public Schools are operating on a two-hour delay on Monday.
Student Relocation Plans
Given the temporary unavailability of CES, the district has arranged for the relocation of its students to other schools within the district:
- Kindergarten and first-grade students will attend classes at Jack Jackter Intermediate School.
- Second-grade students will be accommodated at William J. Johnston Middle School.
All preschool classes have been canceled for the day.
Ongoing Assessments and Communication
The district anticipates that CES may remain uninhabitable for one to three days. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available from utility providers and insurance assessments. Parents and guardians are encouraged to monitor official communications from Colchester Public Schools for the latest information regarding school operations and student arrangements.
