MOSES LAKE, Wash. — Groff Elementary will stay closed next school year as Moses Lake School District sues the construction company over major building problems.
The school board voted to sue Fowler Construction over safety concerns with the building.
“That wasn’t an easy decision and we know that Groff is not just a building, it’s a family, it’s part of our community,” said Carol Lewis, superintendent of Moses Lake School District.
The district found electrical issues, mechanical failures, roof problems, and structural concerns. These will keep the school closed until at least the 2026-27 school year.
“Since we’ve identified the concerns related to the school’s construction, we’ve engaged in a really extensive consultation with forensic building experts and contractors and legal counsel so we can understand the scope of what we’re facing,” Lewis said.
“Breach of contract and breach of warranty, with Fowler Construction, and that’s part of the litigation that is being filed,” said Moses Lake School District PIO Ryan Shannon
The district split about 400 Groff students among four schools for this year but is still planning for the 2025-26 school year.
“It’s been different than anything I’ve ever done in education before. It’s been stressful,” said Groff Elementary Principal Nikki Mackey.
Mackey says families have already adjusted well to the change and is staying positive about what’s to come.
“Once they learned what our plan was, and they know, they trust us that we have their best interest in mind, they’re our family. They’re with us all day long, every day, we take care of them. When families saw that we still had a plan to take care of them, they felt very confident and comfortable,” Mackey said.
Officials haven’t announced where Groff students will go next year.
For questions about the closure or student placement, contact the Moses Lake School District office.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
