UPDATE:
Following a fire at a Dubuque middle school just before school was scheduled to start for the year, the Dubuque Community School District has announced plans to delay that school’s start date. Parents of Jefferson Middle School students received an email Friday saying the first day of school for ALL JEFFERSON STUDENTS will be delayed by four school days until Monday, August 31. The email also elaborated on details of the fire and how the school plans to keep students safe. A wing of the top floor, where the fire originated, will be unavailable for the foreseeable future and that section will be secured and separated from the rest of the building. Classrooms from those locations will be relocated to other parts of the building, including the spaces recently vacated by Dubuque Online School. The entire remaining building will also undergo a deep cleaning throughout and any required inspections required to resume operations will be completed. Work is also underway to determine 7th- and 8th-grade athletic practices for students participating. Additional information regarding athletic practices will be sent in a separate message. The initial press release from the Dubuque fire department said the Thursday eveing fire damaged the third floor classroom, roof, and HVAC system. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Dubuque Fire Department. This, in addition to news that Jefferson Middle School is planning to close following the 2027-2028 school year.
Officials are investigating the cause of a fire at Dubuque Middle School days before school is scheduled to start. The Dubuque fire department responded to Jefferson Middle School shortly before 8 PM on Thursday for an active fire alarm, crews confirmed an active fire was occurring inside a third floor classroom. The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes of arrival. The fire damaged the third floor classroom, roof, and HVAC system. No civilian or firefighter injuries were reported. Preliminary estimated property loss is not yet available. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Dubuque Fire Department. The first day of school is Tuesday, August 25. Additionally, Jefferson Middle School was planned to shut down following the 2027-2028 school year.
