A school auditorium in New Canaan has been shut down after potentially toxic chemicals were found in the building.

An environmental testing firm found the chemical PCB, which is considered to be toxic, in the paint on the floor of the auditorium at Saxe Middle School. The district is in the early stages of planning a renovation at the auditorium, and the testing is part of standard procedure.

Superintendent Bryan Luizzi sent a letter home to parents Tuesday explaining the situation.

Luizzi says the auditorium doors are sealed and that they plan to do further testing over the holiday break. He says the auditorium dates back to the 1950s, when chemicals such as PCB were used.

The matter will be discussed at a meeting for parents in January.