CODY, Neb. - A long-awaited moment has arrived for a small town in north-central Nebraska. On Thursday, the Cody-Kilgore School District broke ground on a new building that’s been years in the making.

“The community is really proud and excited,” Parent Emily Johnson said.

Community members, school officials and students broke ground on the new pre-K through 7th grade school. Work will start over the next couple of weeks, with the goal of finishing the project before next school year.

“At least since 2020 we’ve been working towards this, but really we’ve known it’s an issue for longer than that,” Johnson said.

Earlier this year, News Channel Nebraska highlighted some of the challenges faced by the district’s current elementary school, from flooding to crumbling ceilings, and heating and plumbing issues.

“We believe our school district really deserves better,” Superintendent Ryan Orrock said.

Since that report, voters passed a bond to build a new school. One second grader we spoke with shared her relief, explaining she’s tired of being either too hot or too cold in class, sometimes even wearing a coat indoors.

“There are significant challenges to the current school situation, so having them in a new school in a year is so important,” Johnson said.

The new building will be located behind the current middle and high school in Cody.

“We’ve been trying to get this done for years, and now it’s finally happening. It’s been really exciting,” Johnson said.

An exciting new chapter for Cody, drawing in people of all ages, eager to watch their school—and their community—grow.