CHRISTINA EICHELKRAUT / PVT Ron Floyd digs into the ground while his wife, Charlotte, looks on smiling. The district's new elementary school will be named after them in honor of their continuing support of the district. In the background, school board President Dennis Keating and Board Member Kevin Pape survey the construction site. Advertisement

Golden shovels broke the ground for the new Ron and Charlotte Floyd Elementary School Wednesday, Nov. 14.

Both Floyds, accompanied by school board trustees and Superintendent Rob Roberts, all dug their spades into the ground at 6181 Jane Ave. while bulldozers and trucks from B&H Construction rumbled in the background.

The new school, located near Susquehanna Avenue (about a mile east of Terrible's Lakeside) will be built on 12 acres donated by American West Homes.

It is expected to be completed by August 2008 and will be the learning center for 680 students.

"We're extremely honored that they've done this," Charlotte Floyd said. "It's something we never would have expected."

The entire Floyd family has a long history of school involvement in Pahrump.

Charlotte and Ron Floyd moved to Pahrump in 1963.

Floyd Construction has been a significant contributor to Pahrump's school athletic programs.

In addition, the Floyd children have not only attended Pahrump's schools but continued their involvement with the district long after graduating.

Mike Floyd, now 41, attended Pahrump Valley High School and is now a school board member.

His brother was a member of the first graduating class of the high school.

Mike Floyd's wife is a teacher at Manse Elementary, and two of his children have graduated with honors from their father's alma mater.

Mike's has a third child who is also enrolled at the high school.

The entire Floyd clan showed up to the groundbreaking ceremony and watched as their parents turned the first spade of earth that will soon become the school that will immortalize them.