An Ocean County high school has been shuttered because officials say ongoing construction work has made the building unsafe.

Classes for Pinelands Regional High School students will be moved to the district's middle school, which is across the street in Little Egg Harbor. Current plans call for four-hour split sessions, with high school classes being held from 7 a.m. to 11:34 a.m. and middle school classes from 11:25 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

District officials announced the high school's "indefinite closure" during a meeting with parents and students on Friday night. The decision came after a screw that was several inches long fell from the high school ceiling and almost hit a student.

The high school was closed for a few days earlier this month as a precaution after asbestos was found during an ongoing roofing project.

During a second meeting with parents held Tuesday night, Interim Superintendent Maryann Banks said the plan is for repairs to be completed by end of November. She said the high school students would then return to the building for classes in the first week of December.

"I'm here to tell you as the superintendent, I will not open that building unless our school is safe for students and staff to occupy it. I'm telling you that right now,” she said.

School district officials said they are looking at the calendar to see where they can make up the five days lost. A possibility being discusses is holding half days of classes during spring break, Presidents Day or Good Friday.