The Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center was evacuated Friday morning because of a gas odor in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning classroom, Executive Director Nicole Zernick said.

The building was evaluated by the Altoona Fire Department and Peoples Natural Gas Co. employees, who identified the gas leak was coming from the classroom, handled the situation and deemed the building safe for occupancy by 10 a.m., Zernick said.

All students were evacuated to the Altoona Area School District Fieldhouse, Zernick said, adding about 20 students complained of having headaches. Those students were evaluated by nurses and none of them were in need of additional medical care, she said.

“We are following up with all the parents and guardians of the students that had complaints of health, medical concerns,” Zernick said.

One employee was transported to a hospital for a medical evaluation and has since been released, Zernick later said in a statement.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to our staff, students, AASD administration and police and our emergency response partners for their cooperation and professionalism throughout this event,” Zernick wrote. “The safety and well-being of our school community remain our foremost priority.”

From the Altoona Area High School, all students were sent back to their home school districts by bus and van transportation, Altoona Area Community Relations Director Paula Foreman said in a separate press release.

“Students and staff are safe and in no immediate danger,” Foreman said.

Staff members reported the smell about 8:45 a.m., Zernick said, noting she was notified of the need for evacuation about 9:16 a.m. Friday.

Afternoon classes were canceled as a precautionary measure, and all Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center employees were dismissed, except for the center’s administrative team, Zernick said.

“The gas company has cleared the building. It can be utilized again,” Zernick said.

Normal operations and class schedules are expected to resume, with adult programs taking place Saturday, Nov. 15, and high school programs returning Monday, Nov. 17.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.