I'm sure you'll get some help, but it would be best if you posted a few photographs, including close-ups of the failed joints and an overall view of the whole desk so we can get a sense of the stresses exerted on these joints.

There may be several ways to fix your problem. Does your school system have a technical school where they teach woodworking? If so, contact them and see if they can take a look at it. Also, you mentioned that it is presswood that the screws are falling out of - this kind of material does fine initially, then after use, the wood falls apart around the screws.

Thanks for the quick replies. Our school does not have a woodworking class--we are a small K-12 school. jbranch, that is what is happening, the wood is falling apart around the screws--or as we say in the South, they are "wallering" out.

I can't post pictures for a little while. They are waxing the floors in the school and I am not able to get in.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Pictures will help, but in the meantime, a few things to consider:

- Super-glue (CA glue) will strengthen failing and flaking particle board. Use the thin stuff and drip it in and let it soak into the surrounding area.
- Fill loose holes with epoxy. Epoxy putty would work well for this.
- Most knock-down (KD) or ready to assemble (RTA) furniture uses connectors of some sort. If you are going to drill through and put "nuts" you might consider these