Bonita Springs residents petitioning to stop demolition of school

Author: Zoe Warner
Published: Updated:

Bonita Springs residents have a little more than 200 signatures on their online petition to prevent the demolition of Bonita Springs Elementary School.

Their goal is 500, so they’re making some progress while remaining hopeful about a decision.

Bonita Springs Elementary School has been in the area since the 1920s.

However, since Hurricane Irma, the school has suffered damage to its roof and interior, causing only one of the buildings to be the main school for students.

The school district has plans to demolish the building, but community members, including Derrick Botana, are using the petition to raise awareness against it.

“Once you tear down an old structure, it’s gone forever,” said Botana. “All those memories, all the history that was in those walls are gone, and anyone can build a new building, but you can’t replicate old buildings, the craftsmanship, the history behind it, and it’s important that we protect it.”

The date they can decide is still to be determined, but community members, including Botana, are staying hopeful.

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