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Exira plans to burn down old 3-story school

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March 13th, 2014 by Ric Hanson

EXIRA, Iowa (AP) — Officials in Exira plan to burn down the western Iowa city’s old elementary school. The Exira Community School Board agreed to the plan earlier this week, resolving a question that has remained unresolved since the building was closed three years ago.

According to published reports burning the school would save the district up to $60,000 in demolition costs, even including the cost to haul away the charred remains. It also will give area fire departments a rare chance to train on a multi-floor building. Superintendent Dean Schnoes notes the three-story building has seven different floor levels.

The fire is planned for April 27th. Officials will use wood pallets to start the fire and are seeking pallet donations.