High school's east campus is expected to reopen today

McHenry High School East Campus was expected to reopen today, after being closed Thursday while school district officials continued checking the structural integrity of the 60-year-old facility.

School District 156 Superintendent Teresa Lane said ceiling tiles in one of the building's additions had come loose, and structural engineers were combing through the facility Thursday to ensure the building, located on Green Street in McHenry, is safe.

"We are keeping the school closed so we can finish checking," she said Thursday.

School officials also canceled extracurricular activities and sports practices, including volleyball for freshmen and sophomores, theater rehearsals and a meeting of the environmental club.

School officials first noticed the problem Wednesday, but students were already scheduled to be out of the building because of a shortened school day district-wide.

The addition was constructed in the 1940s. The main part of the school, built in 1924, was not affected.

Officials have been posting updates on the district's Web site, www.dist156.org.