West Virginia Middle School Built in 1914 Closed for Safety Review

A West Virginia University engineer says a Preston County middle school closed because of safety concerns is not in danger of imminent collapse.

But Hota GangaRoa isn’t willing to say students should be allowed back into the building in Tunnelton.

State schools Superintendent Steve Paine warned Preston County officials to have students out of the South Preston Middle School by Thursday.

County Superintendent John Lofink ask WVU’s College of Engineering to examine the aging building to determine its condition.

In a letter to Lofink, GangaRoa says the building is not in danger of imminent collapse, but additional review is necessary to determine if it’s structurally safe.

The school was built in 1914.

___

Information from: The Dominion Post, http://www.dominionpost.com