“Everything was calm,” she said.
Students were released at about noon on Tuesday. Andrews said school will be in session Wednesday.
Andrews said the school had not yet determined if the science lab would have to close for repairs.
Students, faculty and staff at Marriotts Ridge High School were dismissed early Friday morning after a paper towel holder was set on fire and triggered the building’s sprinkler system. Howard schools spokesman John White said the fire was caused by a student and that disciplinary actions will follow, using the school system’s Student Code of Conduct. On Monday, Howard police charged the 16-year-old juvenile, of Ellicott City, with arson, malicious burning and disturbing activities at school. There was little damage by the fire and no one was injured. Students were allowed to return to the school Friday afternoon to retrieve their belongings.
Jennifer Mieth, a spokeswoman for the state Fire Marshal’s Office, said the cause of the fire has not been determined, but it appears to be intentionally set.
She said school fires are not uncommon. In 2015 there were 149 school fires. The majority of which were cooking related, but many were also set fires.
“Most of them were small,” said Mieth. “Although all fires start small.”
Hopkinton Public School Superintendent Cathy MacLeod said school administrators spent the day going from classroom to classroom explaining what occurred. She said the goal was to both make the students comfortable at the school, as well as to prevent the spread of rumors
The de Paul School will be closed Tuesday as cleanup continues. Students should return to class Wednesday.