LTHS Central Students Have eLearning Day Friday After Classroom Ceiling Collapse

LOCKPORT, IL — Lockport Township High School Central campus students will have an eLearning day on Friday, after a ceiling collapsed in a classroom on Thursday, according to the District.

Patch has reached out to the District for more information on when students will return to the school, and if all the classroom and spaces at Central have been assessed.

Students were dismissed early Thursday after the ceiling collapse was discovered in a third-floor classroom, the school said Thursday. No students or staff members were present when the collapse happened, and no one was injured.

City officials said the underpinning of the plaster ceiling gave way in one of the classrooms, completely caving it in. The plaster is above the drop ceilings. The plaster was over two inches thick and several inches of insulation and dry wall are now on the floor, City Administrator Ben Benson said.

The situation was assessed by the Homer Township and Lockport Township fire protection districts, and City of Lockport building inspector, Superintendent Bob McBride said.

Students at Central campus were dismissed from school on Thursday "out of an abundance of caution," McBride said. McBrided added that engineers and architects were at the school Thursday to assess the structure of every classroom and space.

"We are also working with the Regional Office of Education to determine when we can reoccupy the building," McBride said Thursday. "We will not do so until we are assured that every space is safe for students and staff. We will update our community on plans moving forward as soon as we have more information. As always, the safety and well-being of our students and staff is our top priority."

• LTHS Board Discusses Future Of LTHS Central Campus

In recent months, the District and Board of Education have started to explore the future of LTHS Central campus. The scope of a possible renovation project at the school could be between $35 million and $95 million.
LTHS Central was first built in 1909, and additions were built in 1930 and 1953, according to the District website. It currently serves as the District's freshman center.