MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake School District Superintendent Carol Lewis told the MLSD Board of Directors on Thursday that Groff Elementary will open back up for the 2026-27 school year. While physical construction has just begun, assessments have been completed to ensure the campus’s deficiencies are addressed. 

“There's not a whole bunch of construction equipment crawling all over the campus and knocking things down and things like that,” Lewis said. “There is a lot going on that's starting to happen. It looked a little slow to outside observers at first, because there was a lot of assessment that had to be done, lots of people walking around with clipboards and things, and not necessarily the actual construction that needs to happen to fix that building.” 

Lewis said issues have been found with the electrical, roofing panels, brick veneer on the outside of the building, the gym structure, drainage, a gate, uneven concrete stairs, HVAC system, freezers, refrigeration and the gym floor.  

However, this is not the full list of repairs that need to be made, Lewis said.  

“One of the reasons that we haven't shared, really in depth and broadly, is because there is an active lawsuit (with Fowler General Construction) and so we need to be mindful of that as we're sharing information,” Lewis said.  

Lewis said she has been in touch with the contractor, Graham Construction, who is making the repairs, and they are on schedule to complete them before the 2026 school year. 

“I keep being told, ‘Yes, we're on track. It's going to be OK,’” Lewis said. “I cannot predict the future 100% but I'm asking that question every single time, and I'm getting the answer that ‘Yes, we will be OK.’” 

Groff Elementary began construction in summer 2020. The school was funded by a $135 million school construction bond approved by voters in February 2017.  

In April 2024, according to the district, there were initial issues found with electrical systems. On March 1, 2025, it was announced that Groff Elementary would have students attend classes remotely. At the March 6 school board meeting, it was announced that the school would remain closed longer than initially anticipated. At the March 20 meeting, it was announced the school would remain closed for the remainder of the 2024-25 school year. 

During the April 3 school board meeting, the board voted to pursue legal action against Fowler Construction regarding the campus’s deficiencies. At the following meeting, it was decided that the school would remain closed for the 2025-26 school year.  

Groff students are attending classes at Garden Heights Elementary, Lakeview Elementary and Vanguard Academy. They have been kept within their grade levels and classes as much as the district could accommodate. 

Lewis said Groff Principal Nikki Mackey is working to ensure the Groff community stays connected while students and faculty are temporarily at other campuses.  

“There'll be several events throughout this school year planned where the entire student body can come together to have, you know, an assembly, or an event like a jog-a-thon, or things like that,” Lewis said. “Those things are in the works. They don't have dates and schedules for you yet, but that's being planned by the Groff principal and (Parent Teacher Alliance).” 

Correction: Lakeview Elementary is one of the schools Groff students are attending classes this year. This information has been incorporated above.

    The full list of repairs needed at Groff Elementary has yet to be released to the public because of ongoing litigation with Fowler General Construction for the campus’s deficiencies. However, Superintendent Carol Lewis said they have found issues with the electrical system, roofing panels, brick veneer on the outside of the building, the gym structure, drainage, a gate, concrete stairs, HVAC system, some kitchen equipment and the gym floor.