by NANCE BESTON, Staff Writer 

MOSES LAKE — Repairs at Groff Elementary School are moving forward as Moses Lake School District works to correct construction defects that forced the school’s closure nearly two years ago, district officials said this week. 

In a new update, the district reported continued progress on the building’s heating, ventilation and cooling systems, one of several major problem areas identified since structural and mechanical failures began surfacing in 2024.  

Contractors recently determined that multiple heat‑pump units, labeled HP‑1 through HP‑4, were not installed according to manufacturer specifications and must be replaced. 

Crews are now addressing those units along with other remediation work needed to bring the system up to performance standards. 

“While this remains a complex project, progress continues to move forward,” the district said in its statement.  

Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon said the district’s expectation, based on contractor timelines, is that the building will be “fully completed and safe for students to attend in the fall of the 2026–27 school year.” 

The district has been providing periodic updates as repairs advance. Recent milestones include selective demolition of gym flooring in December 2025, structural testing in January and corrective work on overloaded beams beginning in March. 

Despite the scope of the project, which includes structural corrections, HVAC replacement, and remediation of multiple building systems, district leaders say the schedule remains on track. 

“We remain committed to keeping our community informed and will continue to share updates as key milestones are reached,” the district said. 

Groff students will continue attending classes across three campuses until the building is ready to reopen.