PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — After students leave their final day of school Thursday, Cross Bayou Elementary school in Pinellas Park will permanently close.

Teachers and parents worked hard to make their student’s final days at Cross Bayou special, with events that included off-campus trips, field day, and classroom events. The school first opened in 1958 and was part of Pinellas County Schools for nearly 70 years.

Students also received shirts during their final days at Cross Bayou, with the words ‘Once a Bobcat, Always a Bobcat: 1958-2026’ printed on them.

Students have been rezoned to nearby Pinellas Central and Bardmoor elementary schools. The Deaf/Hard of Hearing program, which is run out of the school, would be relocated to Walsingham Oaks K-8.

The district said their decision was made because of declining enrollment county-wide and the state of the aging building. The decades-old school building is in need of roughly $5.1 million in capital improvements.

In order to keep the school up and running it would need a new roof, front office expansion, and refrigerator replacements, the district cited. They hope to sell or lease the property as-is.

During its final days, Cross Bayou has 245 students which is less than half capacity.

Parent Taleena Bliss-Ondich said the decision felt purely financial.

“It felt very business… the school system is very business,” she said. “Go to the schools. Walk the hallways. See what we’re talking about because when you don’t… that’s when it becomes very logistic. That’s when it becomes very business. Because I think at least for the elementary kids it’s not logistic and it’s not business.”

Parent Jovanniece Morales said some of the office staff left before the school year ended for other jobs. She says her young students have not been looking forward to the last day of school.

“My oldest tells me… ‘I don’t want to leave school I don’t want school to end. I don’t want the last day of school to come already,’” she said. “It’s their teachers they’re attached to… they want their teachers to go with them.”

Disston Academy in Gulfport is also closing permanently after students leave for the final time on Thursday.