Foley Elem. School gets makeover

FOLEY, Ala. - The first Foley Elementary school was finished in 1907. It housed grades K-12. That was then and this is now. More than 100 years later, the latest version of the school is open for learning.

The project took two years, and more than 22 million dollars to complete. Principal Bill Lawrence says it was time to let go of the old school. "We had 830 students, 13 portables over there, we had filled up every available space and then some," said Lawrence.

Contractors are still putting on the finishing touches, but the school is safe for students. In the old building, students had to share a lunchroom with nearby Foley Middle School Students, but not anymore. And larger classrooms will eliminate overcrowding.

When teacher Angela Hayes walked into the building this morning- she said it was amazing. She attended the old school, so the change was also bittersweet.

"I was very excited getting up this morning. I had to rush to get here early, but a little sad to leave the old school. I do have a lot of memories there. I got tears in my eyes walking through the school the other day," said Hayes.

Students say the new school wins, hands-down. "I like the big lights they have decorated, the rooms, and how they put up all the shelves in here. So they made a pretty good school," said student Shelby Anderson.

This school project gets an A+. An official ribbon cutting will be held on February 26, and at that time administrators plan to bury a time capsule to commemorate the event.

Administrators are now considering tearing down the old building to make room for a new playground and practice fields.