The demolition of South Highlands Elementary School is complete, Opp City Schools Superintendent Michael Smithart said.

The building was built in 1959 and served as the elementary school until spring 2009 after the board of education opted to build a new state-of-the-art elementary school.

The school was demolished sans the old fourth grade wing, which houses Opp Head Start, the old cafeteria and music building and the gym, which is owned by Southside Baptist Church.

In March, former students, teachers, administrators and others with ties to the school turned out say goodbye to the school that gave so much to so many.

The demolition caused ruckus with Head Start, prompting officials to close the early childhood program, which was home to 77 children due to an asbestos hazard.

Smithart said at the time they system was following all asbestos abatement guidelines.

Smithart said Monday he is currently working with ADECA to secure grant money to renovate the cafeteria to turn it into a community center.

Smithart said the goal is to provide a better location for the summer feeding program, which was implemented this summer.

“We really want to get more our targeted kids,” he said. “This will be a better location for them to walk to.”

An average of 175 children participated in the feeding program.

“Some days we have up to 200 children,” he said.