An accident caused a power outage in North Branford around noon today, Friday, Sept. 1, prompting officials to close three buildings early. As of 1:40 p.m., buses were beginning to roll carrying students dismissed from North Branford High School (NBHS) and Intermediate School (NBIS), two of the affected buildings. The third, Jerome Harrison Elementary School (JHS), will begin dismissal once the NBHS/NBIS routes are completed, said Superintendent of Schools Scott Schoonmaker.

"Traffic is backed up in the area, so we're doing the best we can," said Schoonmaker. "We're running about 30 minutes ahead of our regular dismissal times."

The accident took place in the vicinity of Snake Hill Road, knocking out power in the area including the Route 80/Foxon Road corridor which fronts all three school buildings.

"We were notified just after noon that a car accident had taken the power out," said Schoonmaker. "Working in concert with the Fire Marshal, due to the power outage expected to last several hours, we notified parents and DATTCO," the town's school bus contractor, about the decision to dismiss students from buildings without power.

The town's fourth school building, Totoket Valley Elementary School, located in Northford, was not impacted by the power outage. Parents were notified of the decision to close NBHS, NBIS and JHS through the district's Powerschool Parent Portal on-line notification.