Thursday, June 4 is the last day of school for students at Cortland Elementary in Trumbull County, but it's also the last day that classes will ever be held at the 100 year old school building.
The plan to close the building centers around budget cuts throughout the Lakeview district and the failing condition of the structure. Cortland Elementary was built in 1877 with additions added over the years.
Currently, Cortland houses grades 3-5. Next year, those students will be split between Bazetta Elementary and Lakeview Middle School.
While students were excited about the last day of class, teachers and administrators say the experience is bittersweet. "Sadness, not so much for the bricks and mortar, but the relationships you build with families and parents. It's been sort of a historical landmark in this community and to see it close...it's kind of a sad day for the community," said Cortland Elementary Principal, Scott Taylor.
Along with the students, teachers and faculty will be changing buildings next year as well, but as 4th grade teacher Linda Carbone explains, the classroom, as an educational unit, will not change. "It's the kids and the community that really make our school what it is. It's not the building."
To commemorate the last day for Cortland Elementary, the PTA gave students matching t-shirts with a picture of the school on the front. The entire school gathered for a group picture at the end of the day.
Other budget cuts throughout the Lakeview district include a "Pay to Participate" policy, and busing has been cut entirely to the high school, and runs outside of a 2 mile radius for the Middle School.
