By MATT PIKE
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to North Daviess R-III School on Saturday night for a report of a loud noise and damage. Upon arrival, they found that the roof of the gymnasium had collapsed.
At approximately 9:45 pm on August 30, Jameson Fire District, Gallatin Fire District, Pattonsburg Fire District, Daviess County Ambulance District, Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol arrived at the school.
The release from the Daviess County Sheriff’s office stated that the call was made by a school worker who was in the building at the time of the loud noise. The teacher was in the main school building near the gym at the time of the collapse. She says it sounded like someone “messing with lockers in the hallway.”
The roof of the school had reportedly collapsed, falling inside the gym and causing the east wall of the gym to collapse onto the exterior of the school. First responders stated that there was no fire or explosion after the incident, although multiple stress cracks were located in the building.
Due to the damage and other signs of possible structural compromise, unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter the school building until a structural engineer conducts an inspection.
Superintendent John Rockhold says students will use AMI days while the building is assessed, and the school is planning to distribute chromebooks and other materials to ensure learning isn’t lost due to the situation.
According to North Daviess R-III School District, classes for students not in their VoTech program on Tuesday September 2nd are cancelled.
VoTech classes are still in session as scheduled.