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Building damage cancels classes at Beloit school

BELOIT — Classes are canceled today at Robinson Elementary School after excavation for a new addition led to cracks in a wall Tuesday afternoon, the Beloit School District reported.

No one was reported injured.

The incident occurred close to the time school was scheduled to end for the day. The building was evacuated, district spokeswoman Melissa Badger said.

The contractor, CCI, was digging to place footings for the addition when the foundation under the gymnasium began to collapse causing the wall of the gymnasium to crack in several places, a news release from the City of Beloit said.

"It turns out the foundation wasn't supported properly, but they didn't know that," Badger said.

Ten regional fire departments responded to the school. Technical rescue crews were called to manage the shoring up of the site. The construction crew from CCI will backfill the foundation of the school and support it with heavy timbers.

Canceling school will allow time for experts to evaluate the structure and make sure it's safe before classes resume, Badger said.

Robinson Elementary School, 1801 Cranston Road, was built in 1955 with additions in 1962, according to information on the school district's website.

The school is getting a new, referendum-funded addition as well as renovations of existing space, Badger said.