CALEXICO SCHOOLS WILL REMAIL CLOSED FOR A THIRD WEEK

Tony Perry in San Diego – from the LA Times

April 4, 2010 -- Public schools in the Imperial Valley border town of Calexico will remain closed for at least a third week because of earthquake damage, officials announced Friday.

The 11 schools with 9,400 students have been closed since the magnitude 7.2 quake April 4 and a series of aftershocks. School officials are seeking a waiver from the state so that the school year does not have to be extended beyond the scheduled closing June 8.

Officials have estimated the damage at more than $10 million. Inspectors are examining older schools to see if asbestos has been shaken loose. Officials hope repair work can begin next week.

Calexico is directly across the international border from Mexicali. The quake was centered in the farming villages south of the border.