THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 31, 1996 TAG: 9605310551
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 23 lines
Luxford Elementary School is closed today so workers can shore up wooden structural beams after the end of one came loose from a side wall in a classroom Thursday.
School division spokesman Joe Lowenthal said the beam dropped about 3 feet and that the classroom and surrounding rooms were immediately evacuated. No one was injured. That beam was repaired, but an engineer has recommended that the remaining beam be reinforced for security. Lowenthal said school officials expect Luxford to open as usual on Monday but ``we will not reopen .
Lowenthal said he expects the 35-year-old building will be evaluated during the summer to see if further work is needed.
It remains unclear how Friday's classes will be made up with only two weeks remaining in the school year. Lowenthal said Superintendent Timothy R. Jenney will have to make that decision, but that in cases like this a waiver for the lost time might be possible from state education officials. by CNB