Community says one last goodbye to Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary School

LAUREL, Del. – The community in Sussex County said one last goodbye on Sunday to the Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary the oldest primary school in Laurel that dates back almost a hundred years.

According to the Vice President of the Laurel Historical Society Artez West, the school building will now house the Laurel Police Department and the City Jail as well as the Telemon Corporation.

West also said the school served the African American community in Laurel until school integration opened it up for all children.

“The town gets to come back here one more time before there has been any renovations to this building,” said West.

“That they’re able to see it as it was as a school no matter if they’re 90 or 9 they get to look at this building one more time as it was and they can remember, they can impart their part of history,” said West.

West said the Laurel Police Department will put up pictures of the school in the building to honor its history.