Students in the area of a water line break at Hempfield Area High School Thursday were moved elsewhere in the building to continue instruction, according to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki.

The break happened around 10:30 a.m. in the bridge between the high school and field house, she said. Water spread into hallways and several classrooms.

District maintenance crews were cleaning up. Students who were in affected classrooms moved to the library, Wolicki said.

The school board decided earlier this month to move forward with a multi-million dollar project to tear down the 66-year-old building to its structural system and replace everything as new. Directors chose that option over renovating the existing structure or building a new school.

The project could cost between $97.4 million and $109.9 million. Construction on the project’s first phase could begin next summer.

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