> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.shayinformed.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # What happened at PRP High School Monday? Parents and JCPS don't agree. - URL: https://www.shayinformed.com/what-happened-at-prp-high-school-today-parents-and-jcps-dont-agree/ - Published: 2026-09-22T00:47:12.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-22T15:21:41.000Z - Author: Shay McAlister - Tags: Covering Kentucky 22 people were treated at Norton hospitals on Monday in relation to something that happened at Pleasure Ridge Park High School. --- *"I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity.* *Are you new here?* [*Sign up*](https://www.shayinformed.com/#/portal/signup) *for the free weekly newsletter or subscribe to support our mission and access behind-the-scenes content, podcasts, and in-depth stories reserved for paid subscribers.* --- Nearly two dozen people were treated in Louisville hospitals after an incident at Pleasure Ridge Park High School Monday. Norton Healthcare confirms they saw 22 patients in connection with the situation. JCPS confirmed 6 students were taken to hospitals. 24-hours later, it's still unclear what caused the illness, but PRP Principal Jason Stinson sent a letter to families Tuesday with new findings from the district's investigation. According to the letter, staff identified a dried-out P-trap (a pipe fixture that blocks sewer gases from entering a building) in a chemistry lab after noting an "egg-like odor" during testing. The letter states air quality testing, including carbon monoxide monitoring, was conducted throughout the building, and that no evidence has identified the P-trap, food and water sources, or items found in trash receptacles as the cause of Monday's illnesses. The letter does not address the medical documentation or Norton Healthcare comment detailed above, and the district has not yet responded to whether any students were treated for carbon monoxide exposure. According to the district, the students became ill while inside the "tech building" Monday morning, prompting an evacuation and a multi-agency response. The district's initial explanation said the students experienced nausea, fainting and headaches and then pointed to THC-infused candy wrappers found in nearby trash bins. A district spokesperson said they could not confirm if the candy wrappers were connected to the incident, but they had asked medical officials to explore the possibility. I shared this information on social media, and then I started to hear from parents. Now- documentation obtained from two families, along with correspondence with both a JCPS spokesperson and Norton Healthcare, shows a more complicated picture than the district's public statement conveyed. ## The district's initial account In a letter sent to PRP families and shared with me, JCPS Executive Officer of Communications & Community Relations Barnard Baker wrote that several students became ill Monday morning and were transported to the hospital for evaluation. The district evacuated the area and requested assistance from LG&E, JCPS Police, PRP Fire, and the local health department "to investigate any potential environmental concerns." The letter states that following "a thorough assessment," the campus was determined to be safe and no environmental hazards were identified. The letter goes on to say that THC-infused candy wrappers were found in nearby trash bins during the investigation, and that medical personnel were asked to consider whether that could be a contributing factor in students' illnesses. The district described the incident as isolated. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/19/8c19890d-f21a-4442-8055-5db9783cac58/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-21-at-4.18.16---PM.png) Medical document shared with Shay Informed by PRP parent After the letter went out, I followed up with Baker directly by email, asking him to clarify reports of carbon monoxide involvement. Baker responded: "I'm unaware of parent complaints about carbon monoxide poisoning. The fire department ran tests and did not detect carbon monoxide. We are in the process of following up with the impacted students and families." I then shared a photo of an after-visit summary from Norton Children's Hospital, provided by a parent of a student who was treated there. The document lists the reason for visit as "Headache" and "Chemical Exposure," with a diagnosis of "Accidental exposure to carbon monoxide." Baker responded by asking whether the family had shared the results of the student's bloodwork. I told him the student's carboxyhemoglobin level- the blood marker used to detect carbon monoxide- came back negative, but that she had been tested because another student's case had raised concern. I asked directly whether any students had tested positive for carbon monoxide. Baker replied: "I have not received any information today about any students with confirmed cases of carbon monoxide poisoning." I followed up with an additional question: whether he was aware of any students or staff being treated for carbon monoxide exposure Monday? As of publication, that question has not been answered. ## What the medical documentation shows I have reviewed after-visit and physician documentation from two families whose children were treated at area emergency rooms following the incident. One document, from Norton Children's, lists "Accidental exposure to carbon monoxide" as the diagnosis for a patient whose reason for visit included headache and chemical exposure. A second, more detailed physician note describes a 16-year-old female patient presenting with reported environmental carbon monoxide exposure roughly 30 minutes before she was removed from the area. Her symptoms included vomiting, transient chest pain, and headache. Blood testing showed her carboxyhemoglobin level at under 1%, within a normal range. The note states that despite the normal lab result, the patient's symptoms were consistent with the reported exposure, and lists carbon monoxide poisoning alongside gastrointestinal upset as differential diagnoses. She was treated with oxygen and anti-nausea medication, reassessed, and discharged rather than admitted, with her symptoms noted as improved to resolved. ## Norton Healthcare's response I also reached out to Norton Healthcare directly. A spokesperson said the Norton system received 22 patients connected to the incident, but said the hospital is unsure of the cause of their illnesses. Asked directly whether the students were treated for carbon monoxide exposure, the spokesperson said: "I'll defer to JCPS on possible exposure." ## What's next This is a developing story. I am continuing to follow up with the district, Norton Healthcare, and the families for additional documentation and comment. I will update this story as new information is confirmed. If you are a parent or staff member with direct knowledge of this incident, please reach out to me directly. You can email me at shay@shayinformed.com *Like what you see? 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