Black Hills Energy shut off service to Kennedy School, 1605 Davis Road, Wednesday afternoon after the school was evacuated because of a gas leak, officials said.

Kennedy School staff evacuated the building after smelling a gas odor shortly before dismissal, and then dismissed students from the playground at the regularly scheduled time, 1:30 p.m., said Lawrence school district spokeswoman Julie Boyle.

The school reported the gas odor to Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical and the gas company, Black Hills Energy. The gas company shut off service to the building and found a leak in a pipe fitting outside the building, near the cafeteria.

Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical crews were at the school investigating the report Wednesday afternoon. District facilities and maintenance staff are making repairs.

The school has 232 students and about 50 faculty and staff employees, Boyle said. The Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence is able to use the gymnasium and playgrounds for its regularly scheduled after-school programs this afternoon and will dismiss at its regular time. School staff have returned to the building for their Wednesday collaboration time. Kennedy is notifying parents about the evacuation.