With only 11 students, Duette Elementary is the last one-room school house in Florida.
The woman behind this one-person school is Donna King, who 23 years ago started running it. Everything from science to pottery has been taught at the school, but this year the doors will close.
- Northeastern Manatee County school is last one-room schoolhouse in the state
- Teacher Donna King has been at the school the last 23 years
- Manatee Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene recently visited the school
"If it had a larger enrollment, I would fight for the school to stay open," said Duette Elementary Principal Donna King.
Besides the lack of enrollment, and funding, King says it's time for her to go.
"It just don’t have the strength that it used too."
As summer nears, the chairs will become empty. However, before the school closes King requested the superintendent of Manatee schools see the one-room schoolhouse before it was gone.
"I thought it was walking back in time, when I think and imagine a one-room school house it pretty much lived up to my imaginations," said Manatee County Superintendent Diana Green.
Green was able to see the children play, and see the history on the walls before any decisions can be made.
"There is no intention of putting it on the market. There is no intention of doing anything but helping the principal close out the school year successfully," she said.
King says the superintendent's visit brings closure to this chapter in her life.
"I’m at peace today after meeting with Dr. Green. That the building is going to be preserved and nothing is going to be done in a hurry and no rash decisions are going to be made. So I’m happy about that."
There is no doubt the school is in its final days, but as the laughter fades king says she hopes the legacy of the school will stay.