North Mahaska schools were evacuated Tuesday afternoon (11/24) after a natural gas leak was reported at the Dollar General store a quarter mile away from the school.  Around 1:45pm, a utility company that was digging in the area hit a gas line.  US Highway 63 and 235^th Street had to be closed to traffic while the leak was repaired.  North Mahaska school officials were notified around 2pm and it was decided to send students home early.  North Mahaska Superintendent Angela Livezey says students were never in any danger and the schools were evacuated as a precaution.  The gas leak was repaired around 4:00 and Highway 63 was reopened to traffic.