MAYPEARL, Texas – A primary school in Ellis County will remain closed for another day as officials continue addressing elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels that have raised serious health concerns among parents and students.
The school, initially scheduled to reopen on Friday, will now remain closed until at least Monday as repairs continue.
Ongoing Concerns Over Air Quality
Maypearl Fire Chief temporarily shut down Maypearl Primary School on Tuesday after detecting elevated CO2 levels. Reports indicate that the school district has been aware of air quality concerns since at least November.
In an update to parents, Maypearl ISD stated it is working closely with professional HVAC engineers to identify and resolve the underlying air circulation issues.
However, the delayed reopening and persistent concerns have left many parents frustrated and hesitant about sending their children back.
Parents Speak Out
Concerned parents are voicing their frustrations over the ongoing air quality issues, emphasizing the health impact on their children.
“They’re going to have to regain our trust,” said Chase Edward, a parent of a Maypearl Primary student. “Otherwise, I have no intention of sending my child back into that environment.”
Another parent, Jade Rankin, echoed similar concerns. “Whatever they’ve been doing just hasn’t been working.”
Stacy Miller, whose child has been experiencing persistent symptoms, added, “She still has a cough—she’s had one since October.”
Parents have reported an increase in health issues, including headaches, fatigue, and respiratory problems.
“He’s had headaches ever since school started in August,” said Edward. “At first, we didn’t think much of it, but now we’re skeptical.”
With the uncertainty surrounding the air quality, some parents are questioning whether it is safe for their children to return.
“If I have any ability to keep my child from getting sick, I will do whatever I can,” Rankin stated.
Miller added, “These are the people who are supposed to be taking care of our kids—people we should be able to trust.”
Health Risks of Elevated Carbon Dioxide
Dr. Preeti Sharma, associate professor of pediatrics at UT Southwestern and Children’s Health, explained that while CO2 is naturally present in the air, excessive levels—especially in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation—can pose serious health risks.
“We breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, but when ventilation is inadequate, CO2 levels can build up and lead to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, sluggishness, and fatigue,” said Dr. Sharma.
Children, in particular, may experience more severe effects due to prolonged exposure.
In addition to the high CO2 levels, inspection reports indicate that students at Maypearl Primary School have also been exposed to water leaks, dust buildup, and other environmental hazards—raising further concerns about overall building conditions.
As the district works to resolve these issues, parents and students await reassurance that the school will be safe for reopening next week.