Wilkes Elementary took on an eerie feel after students left the building for the last time on June 15 and staff and teachers began moving out of the building in advance of the old school’s demolition.

Before they left, children chalked heartfelt goodbye messages on the outside walls of the school and the sidewalks of the campus.

A new Wilkes Elementary is rising next to the old, made possible through a $42 million capital bond passed in November 2009. The new facility will be 62,950 square feet and designed for 450 students, with 21 classrooms (16 for elementary, four for kindergarten and one developmental preschool).

Tamela Van Winkle, capital projects manager for the Bainbridge Island School District, said most of the usable furniture from Wilkes was moved to other district buildings. Surplus furniture was sent to General Administration in Tumwater for sale.

Van Winkle said the district’s maintenance and technology departments were able to salvage many usable parts and equipment from the old building, which is expected to save the district more than $100,000.

SpeeWest Construction, the Wilkes contractor, will also be providing a report of items the company will salvage and recycle.

The contractor will make a pile of bricks, near the road outside the construction fence, available to the community.