The elementary school is sinking in Benld, Illinois. This is a developing story so we're still finding out the extent of the damage and what the plans will be for the students. The superintendent made it clear that there is major damage to the building. This school was built from 2000 to 2002 at a cost of about $7million.

There is a meeting at 1pm with the teachers at the high school in Gillespie. The superintendent is planning a news conference at 2pm so we should know more about what's going to happen with the students.

We'll bring you information as soon as it becomes available to us. Here is a copy of the AP wire story:

BC-IL--School Damage-Illinois,0114
Classes canceled at central Illinois schools
Eds: APNewsNow.
BENLD, Ill. (AP) -- Gillespie School District classes in west central Illinois will be canceled this week after "catastrophic" structural damage was discovered at an elementary school.
Officials say mine subsidence is likely the cause of the damage at Benld Elementary School in the Macoupin County city of Benld, about 50 miles northeast of St. Louis. Mine subsidence occurs when land moves or sinks due to the collapse of an underground mine.
Principal Angela Turcol found large cracks in walls, floors and ceiling of the school over the weekend. About 700 students use the building, along with about 30 employees. School officials have been analyzing the damage.
------
Information from: The Telegraph, http://www.thetelegraph.com
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APTV 03-29-09 2204CDT

You'll notice that it says school is canceled "this week." When I talked with the superintendent he told me school was canceled for Monday. We're trying to confirm whether how many days exactly will be affected.

---