FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. — Crews are starting to tear down a beloved piece of Fort Myers Beach history, the elementary school. Thousands have walked the school’s halls since the 1940s.

Although it’s a sad day for those with memories at Fort Myers Beach Elementary, for families who have fought so hard for the school to rebuild — this is a sign of progress.

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“This is a community,” said John Koss, a parent on the frontlines of the battle to keep the school. “If you took that away, it was hard for us to imagine having a community in the future. We don’t want to become a resort-style town.”

Wednesday morning, crews built a fenced perimeter around the property, cleared debris, and started breaking down the school. The building has sat in devastation since Hurricane Ian.

“My favorite memory was the cafeteria because it was a really good design, and I like their food,” said Marina, one of the elementary school students. 

“This school felt like I didn’t want to leave the school because it felt like a home,” said Casey, another elementary student. 

A little more than 50 students are enrolled for the fall. 

The demolition is only expected to last a month. One part of the building will be preserved because it’s historic. 

“Our island was totally destroyed,” said Koss. His son J.C. went to kindergarten at the school. “To have something for our kids to have some normalcy in their lives and go to the school is going to be a huge deal for our island.”

If everything goes smoothly, the renovation will begin in August. Students could return to campus in November. Naples Excavating LLC is doing the work for the project.