MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon High School Principal Kathy Kasler said Wednesday she and her staff had rearranged classes and schedules this week for some students to alleviate overcrowding during a lunch period. The lunch period violated the 375 maximum capacity seating permitted by the Ohio Fire Code for that room.

Kasler explained that when schedules were worked out at the end of the 2007-08 school year, the three lunch periods for 1,200 or so students of the 1,400 members of this year’s student body were more balanced. However, transfer students, incomplete credits for some students and last minute schedule changes made by students at the beginning of this school year left the fifth period lunch extremely overcrowded.

“I had students who graciously gave up their seats, just so some others would have a place to sit down,” Kasler said.

An announcement by Kasler at the end of the school day on Tuesday that some schedule changes would have to be made caused some concern among students about losing classes or changing course selections.

Kasler reassured students on Wednesday that no one would have to give up any courses, and only two classes would have to be moved. Those changes were made Wednesday morning.

She also explained to students that the 375 seating capacity was not an arbitrary number, but a number provided by the fire marshal, to ensure students’ safety.

Chris Menapace, assistant chief for the Mount Vernon Fire Department, explained the maximum capacity is based on a number set by the State of Ohio Industrial Compliance Building Department, and is based on a complicated formula regarding square footage, exits and room use. Menapace heads the MVFD Inspection Bureau, and will conduct the school’s annual inspection later this fall.

“It’s about how many people in that room can be properly evacuated during an emergency situation,” Menapace said. “Our job is just to make sure that the school realizes that capacity and they don’t exceed it.”

Kasler said it is challenging to coordinate student schedules in a way that divides the three lunch periods evenly, because about 1,200 students eat lunch at the school; evenly divided, the students in each period push the maximum capacity of the lunchroom to its limit.

Menapace praised the school’s quick action in correcting the overcrowding problem.

“I think it’s wonderful that the school system is taking a proactive role in ensuring the proper safety measures are in place,” he said.

“My job is to ensure the safety and welfare of the students, while still making sure they can have lunch,” said Kasler. “Health and safety are part of a proper learning environment.”