Schools temporarily closed due to structural concerns

GRAND RAPIDS >> Structural concerns at a more than century-old school building in western Michigan have prompted officials to temporarily close it and shift nearly 700 students to virtual learning.

Contractors working on a renovation project at Innovation Central High School and Grand Rapids Montessori Middle High School raised concerns about the structural integrity of one of the auditorium walls due to potentially compromising deterioration, Grand Rapids Public Schools said on its website.

The Montessori school is located inside Innovation Central. Classes at the building were cancelled Wednesday.

“Because of the construction, the area had been blocked off, but new information prompted district leaders to cancel classes at the building so the matter could be investigated further and to ensure the safety of scholars and staff,” the district said.

Water entering the building through it’s roof over the years “has rusted out some of the support beams,” district chief of staff Larry Johnson told WOOD-TV.