Posted February 20, 2010

By Ben Sosenko

NBCConnecticut.com

A school in Winsted will be shut down for the next three school days, after a classroom accident sent a 5th grade teacher to the Bridgeport Burn Unit.

Kristy Ejzak was injured on February 11, 2010 when she attempted to flip a light switch in her classroom at Pearson Middle School and Academy. A circuit breaker failed, causing her to burn her hand, and suffer shock related injures.

 ”Our main concern all along has been the health and safety of our staff and students,” said Blaise Salerno,Winchester School Superintendent.

 Since the incident, all light switches in the school have been replaced, and all electrical outlets are in the process of being replaced.

A local electrical contractor investigated the cause of the incident, and with their findings, Superintendent Blaise Salerno decided in the interest of safety to students and staff, the school will be closed on February 22, 23 and 24, while repairs made.

“We have decided that we would prefer to err on the side of caution,” explained Salerno. “It will take us a day or two to get the equipment, and a day or two to get it installed.”

Back in 2007, an architectural firm found numerous electrical problems at the school. Some of those issues, involved code violations, and outdated equipment. However, a $42 million bonding package to fix the problems was not approved.

“We just have not had the level of resources necessary to address the physical needs of our building,” said Salerno.

The failed circuit breaker in the accident was over 30 years old.

Parents of students at Pearson Middle School and Academy say they hope in the future money does not get in the way of their children’s safety.

“Now it’s concerning the safety,” said parent Dawn Cave. “It’s not just things getting cut. Now it’s the safety of teachers and students, so that’s a little hard.”