Update: Pleasantview Students to Return to School Tuesday

SAUK RAPIDS -- Pleasantview Elementary students will be able to return to school Tuesday following a fire that impacted four classrooms Sunday night.

Superintendent Aaron Sinclair says everyone has been working hard Monday to make sure students can return to school quickly.

"District Administration and Pleasantview teachers and staff worked diligently today to make arrangements for students to return to classes at Pleasantview on Tuesday, January 15. The four 3rd grade sections that were displaced by the fire have been moved into the main building. Teachers and staff have created and organized suitable learning spaces for these students."

Sinclair says the district has been working closely with officials to ensure the school is a safe environment for students.

"Today [Monday], a third-party environmental engineering firm in consultation with the Sauk Rapids Fire Department conducted a visual inspection of the site and performed air quality testing. Their results indicated particulate counts in the unaffected areas of the building are not elevated. Whereas the affected areas of the building did have elevated airborne particulates. The affected areas of the building have been isolated from the rest of the building. Data shows the main portion of the building was not impacted. Based on this information, the main portion of Pleasantview Elementary is safe for students and staff."

As students return Tuesday morning, Sinclair says all 3rd Grade students should report to the cafeteria for the start of the day.

Fire Chief Jason Fleming says the fire happened in the attic area of the portable classrooms. He says that area doesn't have a sprinkler system. The fire impacted four classrooms with the fire and smoke damage, however, the main part of the school was not impacted.

The district canceled all classes and after-school programming at Pleasantview Monday. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Sauk Rapids Police Chief Perry Beise says officers were called to a report of a fire and heavy smoke at the school at 9:00 p.m. Sunday.