Neighbors of Langley Middle School gritted their teeth through a noisy night this past weekend.

Brian Miller, director of facilities for the South Whidbey School District, confirmed the school’s bell system went haywire and rang uninterrupted for at least five hours.

According to 9-1-1 calls, the first report came in at about 10 p.m. Saturday evening. The ringing bell was reported again at 3 a.m.

Miller said he was notified of the problem at about that time and arrived shortly after to shut it off.

Some have speculated the delay was the result of a disruption to Island County’s 9-1-1 dispatch service, but I-COM officials dispute the claim, saying calls were being routed to Skagit County’s dispatch service and back to island police.

“The incidents are unrelated,” Director Tom Shaughnessy said.

According to Miller, the bell problem was likely the result of a power failure from Saturday’s stormy weather. It caused a trip in the system and set the buzzer off. A more pricey and permanent fix is being researched, but in the meantime he hopes an independent power supply will address the issue.

“I think this will buy us some peaceful nights until we can buy something newer,” he said.