Erik Ramstad Middle School and Lincoln Elementary were decommissioned during touching ceremonies earlier this summer, and the schools are now in different states of demolition.
Lincoln is gone, reduced to a few piles of scrap and rubble, and the lot will soon be cleared. Demolition work has been proceeding inside Ramstad for some time, with piles of metal and other debris accumulating outside the school. Demolition began in earnest Tuesday morning on the outside of Ramstad, and its demise is likely just a few days away.
As emotional as the past couple of weeks have been for students, parents, teachers and school officials associated with the flood-ravaged schools, let us not forget the positive changes already taking place in the Minot Public School District.
Longfellow Elementary is abuzz with construction activity. The flood-damaged school will be renovated and greatly expanded to help accommodate the students from Lincoln. The district has secured land on North Hill and is proceeding with plans to construct a sparkling new Erik?Ramstad Middle School, and there are plans to expand Lewis and Clark Elementary, too.
Certainly no one will forget Ramstad and Lincoln and their decades of service to the school district. So cherish the memories of Ramstad and?Lincoln, and take videos and photos of their final days to keep for future generations.
But as retiring Ramstad principal Jim Tschetter is fond of saying, "Buildings do not make schools, people make schools."
He is absolutely right.