Goodbyes are never easy. Just as it’s difficult to say farewell to friends moving on following a high school graduation, it’s difficult to watch a former school building packed full of memories be demolished.

The demolition of Seneca Valley School District’s former Evans City Elementary and Middle School, located at 345 W. Main St., marks the end of an era — a time for many when friendships formed in the halls and teachers molded young minds to become the leaders of today.

If those walls could talk, they’d have stories to tell. The former school building sat empty for the past few years, but the structure served as a reminder of the memories.

Now, it’s progressively becoming a pile of rubble. It’s a difficult phase.

But the future for the district is bright.

“We understand that the former Evans City school holds deep meaning for many in the community, and this chapter brings mixed emotions,” the district said in a statement. “While the building is being removed, the land remains an important asset for continued growth in the district, and we will be thoughtful about its future use.”

Seneca Valley is a growing district located in an increasingly popular and developed portion of Butler County. Planning ahead for its future students is a wise move, as is making the move to allow for potential repurposing of an existing asset like the Main Street property.

When the district announced the demolition plans in November, it noted cost in maintaining the space was a significant factor in the decision.

We applaud those like Evans City Mayor Dean Zinkhann and Braden Sarver, a 2022 graduate from the district, who have taken steps to preserve the building’s history, to go to the Evans City Historical Society.

But we also applaud the school district for looking ahead, making the move for future graduates — those who will one day go their separate ways and become tomorrow’s leaders.

— TL