‘Welcome back Gators’

MOSES LAKE — After more than a year and a half away from their school, Groff Elementary students, staff and families celebrated a homecoming Monday night as Moses Lake School District officials cut a ribbon marking the school's reopening following extensive repairs. 

District leaders, school board members, staff, families and students gathered outside the school before touring the renovated building, which had been closed since 2025 while the district addressed a series of construction deficiencies and life-safety concerns. Approximately $16.5 million in repairs were completed throughout the facility, including structural corrections, electrical and HVAC repairs, stairway reconstruction, drainage improvements and a complete replacement of the gymnasium floor. 

"It's a really important day for our students, our staff and the greater community that's part of Groff Elementary," Superintendent Carol Lewis said. "They've been without their school for about a year and a half, and that's been hard for them." 

Lewis thanked Groff students, families and staff for their patience during the closure, as well as the schools that temporarily hosted Groff students, including Lakeview Elementary, Longview Elementary, Garden Heights Elementary and Vanguard Academy. 

"They didn't just house the students; they really did provide them with a home and a place to be," Lewis said. 

Groff originally opened in September 2021. Concerns about the building's condition eventually led district officials to close the school while repairs were completed. The district later filed litigation against firms involved in the building's design and construction. Earlier this year, the district reached a settlement with architecture firm Design West for $1.85 million, while litigation involving Fowler Construction remains pending. 

During the reopening ceremony, Lewis said closing the building had been difficult but necessary. 

"The safety of our students and our staff is of utmost importance, and we can't ever risk that," she said. "Now I'm really proud that we have a very safe school where we know that our students and staff are going to be well cared for and feel safe." 

Following the ribbon cutting, district Executive Director of Safety and Wellbeing Scott West guided visitors through the building, highlighting repairs that addressed issues discovered after the school opened. 

Among the improvements are rebuilt staircases, code-compliant railings, repairs to structural components, drainage work around the playground, electrical upgrades and a new heating and cooling system. Visitors also toured classrooms, the cafeteria, library and gymnasium, where a completely new floor was installed after problems with the original flooring emerged. 

West said the project involved extensive oversight from engineers, contractors and district staff to ensure repairs met code requirements and quality standards. 

For Principal Nikki Mackey, the reopening marked the end of an unusual chapter in the school's history. 

"Closing the building was a task," Mackey said. "It took us some time and a lot of energy, and a lot of people putting their heads together to figure out our next steps." 

Mackey said staff members are eager to return to a permanent home after spending the past year and a half on multiple campuses across the district. 

"The Gators are back," she said. "The staff is excited. The kids are excited." 

That excitement was evident among the students attending Monday's event. 

Kindergartner Andrea Martinez said she was looking forward to attending school alongside her older sister. 

"I am excited to go to school with my sister," Martinez said. 

Fifth-grader Maddlyn Gonzalez said returning to Groff felt special after spending time away from the school. 

"I am excited to be back in my school," Gonzalez said.  

She added that she was looking forward to helping her younger sister navigate her first year at Groff and showing her around the building. 

District officials expect more than 400 students to return when classes begin this week. 

As families toured classrooms and hallways Monday evening, Lewis said the moment represented more than the completion of a construction project. 

"It was such a blessing to see all of those smiling faces coming through the doors tonight," Lewis said. "Welcome back, Gators. It's going to be a great year." 

    Groff Elementary Principal Nikki Mackey spoke during the ribbon cutting saying that she, the staff and students are grateful to be returning to their permanent school. “Welcome back Gators,” Mackey said.
  

    Two Groff Elementary School students, Andrea Martinez (left) and Maddlyn Gonzalez (right) sit on the library carpet during a tour of the school following the ribbon cutting Monday. Martinez, a kindergartner and Gonzalez, a fifth grader said they were excited to be back at Groff Elementary.