Virginia County Says Goodbye to Quake-Damaged School

Louisa County, Va., said goodbye to an elementary school that was damaged by last year’s earthquake.

The Daily Progress reports that Louisa County Public Schools held a closing ceremony for Thomas Jefferson Elementary School last Friday, where several generations of area students were educated.

School officials plan to demolish the school next month and build a new one. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded $3.2 million to help pay for the new school, which is expected to cost about $13.7 million.

The 5.8-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 23, 2011, was centered in Louisa County. Students have been attending classes in temporary facilities.