Residents will have the last opportunity to see A. E. Wright Elementary School intact next Monday before the wrecking ball strikes.

The school district plans a little farewell party for the old school, built in 1949, before contractor Elder Demolition begins the process of knocking the building down.

School Superintendent Dennis Carlson said anyone interested in swinging a sledge hammer or saying a few words about Wright, should show up Monday, Aug. 27, at 10 a.m.

The school was declared surplus several years ago with students moving to Center School in Grand Coulee, and is being razed to make way for a new K-12 educational facility. Construction of that project will begin shortly after the bid is awarded in late January or early February next year.

Currently, IRS Environmental, a subcontractor, is doing the abatement work of asbestos and any other toxic materials from the building before demolition can begin.

It’s being called the “Golden Sledgehammer” day by school officials who have said that at the end of any talks, people will be able to take a swipe at the old school.

The school was named after the late A. E. “Bud” Wright, one of the early principals at the school.

The old sign at the school was given to the Wright family by district officials as a memento.

District workers last week removed the flagpole in front of Wright and plan to use it someplace in the new facility.