LOWELL, Mass. — The Lowell Board of Health voted to close Lowell High School due to unsafe conditions on Wednesday, but the city manager said that decision was based on an outdated inspection report.
“We're not going to close the school because it's safe,” said Lowell City Kevin Murphy.
Wednesday night in a special meeting, the Board of Health voted to close Lowell High after reviewing a city inspection report with critical code violations.
"The Board of Health is wrong, they never should have taken that vote,” said Murphy.
The 17-page report of violations obtained by Boston 25 News includes "inoperative fire doors...no ventilation in the school's biology and chemistry labs, and exposed wires, creating an electrocution hazard.”
“We've shut restaurants down for far less violations,” said Dr. John Donovan with the Board of Health.
Donovan said concerned parents told him they felt the city wasn't moving quickly enough to address the safety hazards.
“Our sole motivation was not political motivation whatsoever, it was the health and safety of the 3000 people that are in that building every day, right now,” he told Boston 25 News.
Students admit the school has its eyesores, but said with the city’s' reassurance, they still feel safe inside the walls.
“I don't think it's severe enough to endanger anyone,” said student Andre Ragel.
Murphy told Boston 25 News Thursday that he wants to assure the parents of thousands of students who attend Lowell High School. He said he has confidence in the school's current condition even if the Board of Health does not.
The Board of Health's vote may have touched off a firestorm at city hall, but it actually has no binding authority on whether the school actually closes.
MORE FROM BOSTON 25 NEWS
[ Ky. woman convicted of throwing newborn in trash receives probation ]
[ Ohio pilot, wife died from powerful animal tranquilizer, cocaine mixture ]