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DAPHNE, Ala. — On a rainy Sunday afternoon, about 250 people gathered in Daphne Elementary’s newly constructed gym for a rededication ceremony that honored the facility’s history.

School officials, board members and former students shared high praise and fond memories of the 70-year-old school building. The event coincided with the additions of a new cafeteria and gym, two-and-a-half years of construction and turning the old cafeteria into the library.

“I openly admit I am very prejudiced about this school,” Daphne Elementary principal Jan Palmer said. “As principal, I get to see a staff working together to meet the individual needs of every child. It is I who am privileged.”

Baldwin County Board of Education President Tracy Roberts said the school’s influence is evidenced by how many community members once roamed its halls.

“We all know someone that went here,” Roberts said. “You can bet that either your banker, your grocer or someone in your rotary club went here.

“We all know that Daphne Elementary has a rich history.” A history that dates back to 1939, when the school was opened after its predecessor, Daphne Normal State School, was closed.

Former student Al Guarisco, one of the school’s first graduates, recalled memories of the institution’s early days, and threw in some humorous remarks.

“The (event) program says I’m a historian,” Guarisco said. “I guess if you outlive any one who can dispute you, that makes you a historian.”

Guarisco recalled the school’s water cooler that some of the older, stronger boys would daily carry to a neighbor’s property to be filled.

“The school was the most modern in Alabama at the time,” he said, adding the facility had steamed heat, an intercom system and uniformly timed clocks.

“It was wonderful to be in this school and to be part of it,” Guarisco said.

Baldwin County Board of Education representative Frank Trione, also a DES alumnus, shared Guarisco’s sentiments.

“This was the first time we changed classes,” Trione said. “This was the first time we had organized sports.” Trione had attended a primary school before starting at Daphne Elementary. In his previous school, students never left the classroom when they switched subjects of study.

“I hope ya’ll enjoy it for the next 50 years like we enjoyed it,” he said.

“It’s not just an exciting day for a school,” Rededication Committee Chairman and first-grade teacher Jim Ayres said. “It’s an exciting day for a community.”

Ayres reminded those present about the March 23 tax referendum in which residents can vote on whether to add a 1-cent sales tax. The referendum is a means of addressing the school board’s financial crisis that includes the termination of 450 teaching positions county-wide.

“It has been a rough year,” Baldwin County Board of Education interim superintendent JaNay Dawson said. “It has been a rough two years.

Upon completion of the ceremony, guests were treated to refreshments in the school’s new cafeteria and were able to tour the facility’s recent additions.

The Golden Tones Choral Society — comprising Daphne Elementary students — sang the school’s alma mater and a patriotic medley.