Photos of the school

Interview: Gillespie School District Supt. Paul Skeans

ST. LOUIS (KMOV) -- An Illinois elementary school was closed indefinitely after a school administrator noticed cracks in its walls and floors.

Gillespie School District officials said they are trying to figure out where to hold classes for the more than 700 students who attend Benld Elementary School. All schools in the district will be closed Monday.

Benld Mayor Matt Turcol believes the school may never be used again, though structural engineers were assessing damage to the school Sunday afternoon.

District officials said the damage may be due to mine subsidence, which is the sinking or shifting of the ground surface due to the collapse of an underground mine. Principal Angela Turcol noticed the damage Saturday.

The mayor said the school cost about $7 million when it was built in 2002.

Benld, a city of about 1,500, is located 50 miles northeast of St. Louis.