Last December a tornado ripped through the Oakman community reducing their elementary school to rubble, and without enough insurance money to rebuild, the community had to come together to get their school rebuilt. Students, teachers and residents traveled to
Montgomery to ask legislators for the necessary funds, and after being awarded 8-million dollars, the school system got to work.
“It shows that this school is the heartbeat of the community and it shows the support and loyalty they all have. It was also a good civil lesson for the kids,” says Alabama State Representative Ken Guin.
Just days before Thanksgiving the school system had a lot to be thankful for, as they turned dirt and broke ground on their new building, forever insuring the future of Oakman Elementary School.
“When you see bulldozers come out here and start moving dirt around you really get excited because it’s like a load is lifted off your shoulders,” says Dennis Willingham the principal of Oakman Elementary School.
“I taught here for 28 years and its very important to us its very important to the children its very important to the families to keep our community alive to have a new school and its literally coming out of the rubble,” says Pam Little.
And while many are sad to see the old historic facility gone, they are thrilled at what the future holds and the technologically advanced school their children will now have.
“You hate to see the history of it disappear a new building update facility will really benefit the children,” says Joey Phifer a parent.
“It will be top notch technology, both in equipment and as far as it looks,” says Willingham.
The school will cost around 9 million dollars to build it will be completed by December 1, 2010 and will hold grades kindergarten through 8th. That’s about 700 student’s total.
