Students at Joppatowne Elementary School were dismissed at 11 a.m. Thursday after staff reported smelling gas, according to Harford County Public Schools.

The school system said staff members detected the smell of gas during morning arrival. BGE determined the source of the smell was an outdoor leak. To repair the leak, the school’s heat had to be turned off.

Jillian Lader, manager of communications for HCPS, said the school system believes all repairs will be complete and the school would be open Friday. Lader said families would be contacted directly if that plan changes.

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