The heart of many neighborhoods beat in their local elementary school. Perched on a hill overlooking the historic seaside village of Noank, the Noank School has been one such community focal point for more than half a century, a place of many happy memories for both children and parents.

Inevitably, however, neighborhoods, communities and lifestyles change. Municipal budgets and complex and costly educational necessities no longer can easily support the traditional neighborhood school model. Noank School has produced no school-day memories for some seven years and stands shuttered and forlorn in the center of a closely packed residential neighborhood.

Although as recently as earlier this month some local residents pleaded with Groton officials to preserve at least part of the brick building, both the council and Representative Town Meeting ultimately made the right decision to approve money needed to demolish the school. Officials had earlier set aside $480,000 to pay for demolition and removal of an underground storage tank, but after bids for the work came in higher than anticipated, officials needed to approve spending another $125,000 to ensure the project is completed.

Those who long have contended a smarter use of municipal funds would be to extend the former school building's life with some necessary repairs made a valid argument only if there were a pressing community need for the building. Since the school has been closed, however, no viable and publicly important need has presented itself.

In 2011, the town conducted a survey about possible reuse of the building and property. Of the 189 residents who took the survey, nearly half said their first choice for reuse would be open as space or for recreation. Most respondents said they lived in the immediate neighborhood of the school or more generally in Noank.

Demolishing the school, which could occur as early as next month, will allow the entire sloping, 6-acre parcel to be used in the manner preferred by most of those surveyed. A task force already is formed to work toward the parcel being reused as a combination of community garden plots, orchards and memorial gardens, all open to the public.

These uses will ensure the serene and picturesque spot will continue to be a neighborhood focus for many years to come.