Inside Silas Willard Elementary School in Galesburg, kids are busy in a classroom where young Ronald Reagan studied back in 1917.
Nearly 100 years later, the space hasn't changed much for these second graders.
"With a 100 year old building, as you would in your home, things break," said Principal Angela Stockman.
That's why youngsters, representing the school's 450 students, donned hard hats and grabbed ceremonial shovels to dig in on Wednesday.
They're breaking ground on a new $18.3 million school. It's set to open in January 2016.
"We're totally excited," Stockman continued. "The kids are excited. They cannot wait to see all the new things happen."
The project is next on the list for Operation Rebuild Achievement. It's the district's major push to upgrade facilities.
Galesburg District 205 will replace the 1912 building with a state-of-the-art school. But they'll work to preserve the rich history and memories.
They'll keep a letter signed by President Reagan. They'll re-purpose an historic nurses cabinet.
They won't miss asbestos tiles, space shortages and other drawbacks from the outdated building.
"When they built this building, they weren't thinking about ADA," said Assistant Superintendent David Black. "They weren't thinking about energy efficiency."
Russell Construction is starting just next door to the current school.
The school district is paying for the project with its penny sales tax and life safety fund.
"It will be a gorgeous brand new school in the middle of that community," Black said.
Students will get a school designed for the 21st Century. Plus, there will be room to grow.
While the original school will be torn down when the new one is ready, the outline will become borders for a new and more spacious playground.
"People want to be at this school," Stockman concluded. "They love this school. I think it's wonderful that we're getting an opportunity to give them a place."
For these youngsters, it's quite an endorsement for education in Galesburg.