Mount Vernon HS students head back to school

NEWARK A wing of the school, next to the auditorium wall that collapsed last Monday, will remain closed.

The exterior wall of the auditorium collapsed, sending tons of bricks and cinderblocks crashing down in what the principal said sounded like a bomb.

The collapse sent debris crashing through the roof of the area of that houses career and technical education units like wood shop, auto shop and a TV production studio. The cause is not yet known.

The auditorium was capable of holding hundreds of people. Luckily, at the time of the collapse, there were no students inside and no one was injured.

The high school was built in 1964. Two years ago, it received a satisfactory rating, despite problems with the roof.

A board trustee says maintenance has been deferred because of budget problems.

Teachers returned to the school on Monday and parents were allowed to inspect the classrooms.

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