An elementary school in Fayetteville that was damaged by an April 16th tornado could reopen sooner than expected. One of the strongest tornadoes that touched down that day blew much of the roof off Ben Martin Elementary School. No one was injured in the incident. Students have been going to class at two other schools nearby. Administrators said they hoped to get students back to Ben Martin by December. But principal Crystal Brown says they now expect to move in at the end of October.
Crystal Brown: "The last time I was there I was actually able to walk inside the building. Lots of rebuilding was taking place, especially where the roof was removed. We do have walls up and I think about 75 percent of the roof is completed at this point."
Cumberland County Schools estimated the damage at about $4 million in April. That has been reduced to $2.5 million. Brown says Ben Martin students will finish the school year on time tomorrow.
