LYNNWOOD, Wash. — It's the last day of school ever at Oak Heights Elementary, a bittersweet day for the kids, but to those who work there.
At 57 years old, Oak Heights is at its lowest point and is decaying.
Tile floors are torn up. There are constant water leaks. Broken and jagged playground equipment has actually sent kids to the emergency room for stitches. A tree that towers over the playground keeps dropping large branches, so the kids can't even sit in its shade. The bathrooms constantly smell due to plumbing issues.
"It's time to go. We want modern facilities," said Principal Jessica Asp.
However, this is the only school 11-year-old Emma Groennebaek has ever known. She has a soft spot for the place.
"I really think it's just showing how well this school has been used," she said.
Now, with the turn of a shovel at a groundbreaking ceremony led by the students, plans are moving forward to bulldoze the building.
In two years, students will return to a beautiful new campus. It was made possible by a small army of parents who urged voters to approve $700 million in bonds and levies to replace Oak Heights and four other suffering schools.
It's not an easy sell in these days of rising costs and school districts battling budgets all across our area, but voters in the Edmonds district agreed to spend the money by a 65% majority.
Edmonds School Board President Nancy Katims thanked the crowd that gathered for the groundbreaking, "I especially want to give a huge thank you to all the voters who came out in February to support both our bond and our levy," Katims said.
Principal Asp believes people need to realize their voices and votes matter.
"Our kids and our future are worth it," she said. "Our future generations here are going to be the ones leading us. They deserve spaces that actually nourish that."
And as the flag was lowered for the very last time at Oak Heights, Principal Asp said the changes in infrastructure are just the beginning.
"This changes people's perceptions of themselves. When the space is new, vibrant and fresh you match your environment," she said with a smile.
Fifteen of the 34 schools in the Edmonds School District are more than 50 years old. Some of the $700 million is also going to modernize schools until they can be replaced.