Kincheloe Elementary School students have been given a three-day weekend after administrators decided to close the building Monday while the school’s well is being repaired.

Parents received a letter sent home with students Thursday afternoon explaining school would be out of session while the well problem was addressed at the building, 25121 Gage St. in Dowagiac. According to Principal Cathy Stone, action to fix the issue will begin today after school is dismissed.

Stone said either the well’s screen will be cleaned or the well will be replaced. However, Stone said there has been no issue with the quality of the water at the school.

“The water is fine; we don’t have any contamination issues or anything like that,” Stone said. “It’s just time for maintenance on the well, and they’ll need the three-day period to get in there and assess what the issue is and how to fix it.”

School will resume Tuesday morning as usual, Stone said. The only difference students will notice is at lunch.

“There will be a change with lunch procedures that day, just for the day,” Stone said. “We will offer sack lunches, and water bottles will be available for drinking purposes Tuesday.”

Stone said, while repairs on the well will be finished before school resumes Tuesday morning, testing to ensure the water’s safety will have to take place. Water for sanitation purposes will be available, but bottled water and lunches prepared without the use of dishes will be served.

“Whatever the issue may be, we just want to make sure our kids are safe and that the building is fully operational when they’re at school,” Stone said.

Call (269) 782-4464 for information.