UPDATE: THURSDAY 12/19/2024 12:40 p.m. (MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo.) — Manitou Springs School District 14 (D14) said the Manitou Springs Fire Department conducted an investigation of Manitou Springs Elementary School (MSES) and has collected a sample for testing. One staff member was evaluated by first responders on-site but not taken to a medical facility. According to D14, Hazmat officials believe the incident was an isolated issue related to a vacuum used on Tuesday, Dec. 17, in the auditorium and Thursday morning in the basement. The El Paso County Hazmat also assessed all HVAC systems and determined on Tuesday and Thursday that all oxygen levels were normal and there were no signs of any contaminants. A third party deep cleaned the auditorium on Wednesday, Dec. 18, and D14 said the entire school will now be deep cleaned. To facilitate the deep cleaning, MSES will be closed on Friday, Dec. 20. ORIGINAL STORY: Elementary school evacuated again over staff experiencing symptoms THURSDAY 12/19/2024 11:18 a.m. Manitou Springs Elementary School (MSES) was evacuated once again on Thursday, Dec. 19 by the Manitou Springs Fire Department due to staff experiencing symptoms. According to Allison Scott, Communications Specialist for Manitou Springs School District 14 (D14), the school initiated an early release for all students following a precautionary evacuation ordered by the fire department. The evacuation was prompted by staff on the basement level experiencing symptoms such as coughing and watery eyes. Early release details, according to D14: Pick-Up Instructions: Parents and guardians are asked to pick up their children as soon as possible at Manitou Springs Elementary School. Sign-Out Process: Students will only be released to individuals listed on their approved contact list. As part of the investigation, the Manitou Springs Fire Department and El Paso County Hazmat team responded. MSES said the team collected samples and will be running tests. Earlier this week, on Tuesday, Dec. 17, a visible powder was found in the elementary school's auditorium where 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students were present. Some individuals reported symptoms such as coughing and burning eyes, which the fire department said were resolved once students and staff were evacuated. The Hazmat team investigated this previous incident and confirmed no hazardous substances were present in the auditorium and deemed the rest of the building safe. The auditorium was closed and deep-cleaned on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The cleaning included carpet and seats in the auditorium, all surfaces, and air-purifying. "The district thanks all families, staff, and emergency responders for their patience and cooperation as we worked to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff," wrote D14. FOX21 News has a crew on the way to the scene and will provide updates to this article once we get them.