Tuesday, March 18, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
Lincoln Elementary School students got an unexpected break from classes today when the discovery of asbestos in two buildings prompted an emergency closure of the campus.
Asbestos insulation removal in the school's heating ventilation and air conditioning systems is expected to be completed this afternoon. The school district anticipates reopening Lincoln on Wednesday.
No students were exposed to the asbestos, which was discovered while workmen were doing rehabilitation work, according to Clark County School District spokesman Ray Willis.
Today's closure was a precautionary measure, until specific information about the level of asbestos in the two buildings can be determined, Willis said.
The school is located at 3010 Berg St., just south of Cheyenne Avenue between Civic Center Drive and Pecos Road in North Las Vegas.
Spring break begins Monday. If air samples indicate an unsafe level of airborne asbestos, Lincoln could remain closed until classes resume March 31.
In the event that parents didn't get the message about the closure broadcast on television and radio Monday, Principal James Shipp was at the school this morning to explain the situation to parents who brought their children to school.
Willis said Lincoln includes a large Hispanic population, and a Spanish radio station and other Hispanic contacts in that area were assisting in getting the message out to parents.
A decision was made not to reassign students to another school for the remainder of the week because it was thought to be "too disruptive," Willis said.
Additional school days may have to be tacked on to the end of the school year to make up for lost instructional time, he said.
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