The A.V. Norrell Elementary School building in North Side, which was slated for closure, likely is going to fill up again with more school employees.

Thomas E. Kranz, the Richmond school system’s chief operating officer and soon-to-be interim superintendent, has indicated that he now sees merit in continuing to use the building as office space.

He said he could avoid the expense of fixing up other space by keeping it open, even though the Richmond School Board had designated the building in the 2100 block of Fendall Avenue for closure a year ago.

Long emptied of students, the building for the past few years has housed Head Start, driver’s education and other school system departments.

The Norrell Annex, nearby at 201 W. Graham Road, was closed last month after three students broke into the building and shot a member of the schools nutrition staff. The 10- and 11-year-old students were arrested last week after being caught inside Overby-Sheppard Elementary about a mile away in Highland Park.

Mr. Kranz said at the time that the main Norrell building would close in June.

However, with the change, Mr. Kranz said the Head Start and driver’s ed staffs likely will remain in the building and previously emptied space will house the school security division.

The Teacher Store, where Richmond educators can stock up on classroom supplies, also is to remain.

Keeping the building open would be a boon to others, including the Richmond Electoral Board, which has long used the building as Precinct 305, which was open on Tuesday for voters to cast ballots in the primary elections.

The building’s gym also serves groups including the nonprofit Men of Barton Heights that offers positive youth programs as well as providing programming space for the city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facility’s Battery Park operation. Battery Park’s football field also is on the school grounds.