Wootton High School in Rockville was evacuated Monday morning after staff reported a gas smell near the building’s boiler room. Students and staff were directed out of the building around the start of the school day and moved to outdoor athletic areas as a precaution.
In a 7:58am message to the community, Principal Dr. Joseph Bostic said the fire department was on-site evaluating the odor and reiterated that everyone should follow evacuation procedures and remain away from the building. Students were relocated to the stadium, with some positioned on the baseball field as an added safety measure.
By 8:14am, Dr. Bostic shared an update indicating that Washington Gas had also arrived to assist with the evaluation. He noted that the school may begin transitioning students and staff to nearby Frost Middle School, though the timing depends on space availability as Frost students arrive for their school day.
Dr. Bostic again emphasized that no one should re-enter the building until clearance is given and that additional information will be shared as soon as it becomes available.
A third update at 8:34am confirmed that some Wootton students and staff have now transitioned to the Frost Middle School cafeteria, while others remain in the stadium and on the baseball field. The fire department and Washington Gas continue to investigate the source of the reported odor.
At 8:55am, Dr. Bostic reported that buses had arrived in the lower lot to help keep students and staff warm while the evacuation continued. Groups remain spread across the stadium, baseball field, Frost Middle School cafeteria, and now buses, as crews work to resolve the situation.
In the latest update at 9:34am, Dr. Bostic shared that both the fire department and Washington Gas had cleared the campus. MCPS central office teams are now working to order parts needed to repair the issue that caused the morning’s gas smell. While the building currently has no heat, hot water is available.
Students and staff have begun transitioning back into the building for period three, including those who had relocated to Frost Middle School. Buses brought in for warming purposes have now left campus.
Dr. Bostic thanked MCPS transportation staff for their support and said further updates on repairs and building operations will be provided as soon as possible.
