Needham, Webb closed Thursday as result of environmental testing

Two Franklin elementary schools will be closed Thursday after higher-than-recommended levels of contaminants were found following another round of environmental testing.

Students at Needham and Webb elementary schools will have an eLearning day Thursday, and will not come to school. The decision was made by Franklin school officials after samples taken at both schools revealed levels of contaminants higher than what’s allowed by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

Students at all other Franklin schools will attend school as normal Thursday, Clendening said.

“This is just due to an overabundance of caution. I consulted with experts, our cabinet and school board to make the decision that those two schools would be out,” he said.

Students who attend those two schools will work remotely on Thursday. Students who attend all other Franklin schools will report to school as normal, said David Clendening, Franklin Schools superintendent.

Both schools are located near the former Amphenol facility in Franklin where residents have raised concerns about contaminants. Earlier rounds of testing showed little to no levels of the volatile organic compounds PCE and TCE, which can have harmful health impacts.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.