BINGHAMTON, N.Y.-- For many, the memories after the storm are still fresh in their minds.
"When I got there I was dumbfounded. I just couldn't believe that the water had already come up close to the sidewalk on Vestal Ave," said Principal Maria McIver.
For McIver, it's a day she'll never forget. "It was opening day so everything was fresh. Teacher's classrooms were the way they wanted them for the children. When I went in each classroom it looked like a hurricane or a tornado had hit each room," she said.
Once she overcame the shock McIver had to immediately step up and answer a lot of questions.
"What's our game plan? What are we going to do? Where are we going to relocate? What building is big enough?" she said.
She said the past four years have not been easy. Since no one building was large enough, all of the students and programs housed in the MacArthur building were split into seven separate locations. But finally the new building is almost complete and McIver says it's incredible.
"I remember walking in the entrance and just looking down this massive hallway and it reminded me of -- I felt like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz that when the door opened I was just like oh my and I just pictured my little kindergartners walking in and feeling that same feeling I did because it really is a beautiful, beautiful building," McIver added.
Architects met with students, staff and community members in 2012 to provide input for the new building. McIver said many of those visions have become a reality. And everyone involved with the construction is confident that flood waters will never reach the school again.
"The main part of the building was moved much closer to Vestal Avenue and then the classroom wings were built on concrete pillars and those are 5 feet above the 500 year flood plain," said Karry Mullins, assistant superintendent for administration.
McIver said she just can't wait for November when students begin moving in.
"Just to be back together with everybody that's the one thing that I'm really looking forward to. It's been a struggle but again the day when we're just all together and I can go down each hallway and know that everyone is there," said McIver.
Teachers will begin setting up their classrooms November 21, movers begin on the November 23 and the first round of students start classes in the new building on the November 30.
All students are expected to be in the new building by January 4.