Students break ground on Eudora Elementary School
Friday, March 28, 2008
On the cloudy, cold evening of March 27, more than 200 people had their eyes on five students breaking ground at the future site of Eudora Elementary School. In turning over a shovel of dirt, the students, assisted by Eudora Board of Education members, marked the start of the flagship project of the $45 million bond Eudora voters passed in November 2007.
Board President Kenny Massey called the event to order, and Superintendent of Schools reflected on the history of the site, as well as the importance of the new school.
"We will honor our past as we build the future," Kobza said. "This land was first purchased by the Durr family from Eudora founder Paschal Fish. Paschal Fish and generations of Durrs have been among those who laid the foundation for this opportunity. Legendary Eudora educators like Roberta Nottingham have been among the stewards. But, as it should be, our students are the beneficiaries of the exciting path that lay ahead."
Kobza thanked the groups and individuals who have contributed to the project's success in the past months and years, including community leaders, the bond campaign committee, board of education members, district teachers and staff, the architects at DLR Group and the construction management team at Universal Construction.
He also introduced the five student diggers — one student representing each of the classes that will enter Eudora Elementary School when it opens in the fall of 2009.
- Paige Dudley is a preschooler and will be in the first grade in 2009.
- Cooper Walters is a current kindergartner at Nottingham and will be a second grader when the building opens.
- Bobby Lounsbury is a current first grader at Nottingham and will be a third grader in 2009.
- Chase Garcia is a second grader at Nottingham and will be in fourth grade when the school opens.
- Kayla Maples is a third grader at West; she will be in the fifth grade when the new building is complete.
Board members joined each student representative to help turn over the dirt. The groundbreaking portion of the program was followed by a performance of the Eudora West Elementary 4th and 5th grade honors choir.
Kobza concluded the event by adding that the students are the reason for the groundbreaking ceremony, the elementary school and all the bond projects.
"As you can probably tell," he said, "I am so excited for what the future holds, on this very spot. When Eudora Elementary School opens, I believe that it will bring students opportunities and experiences the likes of which we have never seen here before. This bond … this school … this groundbreaking ceremony—these things are not about administrators or voters, mill rates or floor plans. They are about learning. They are about opportunities. They are about students."
Enjoy
photos from the event in this slide show: 
Eudora Elementary Groundbreaking Ceremony
