Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2006 > May > 15
Monday, May 15, 2006
A battle brewing over Roosevelt?
The Dayton school board canceled a planned press conference today to announce a partnership with the city to build a school and recreation center at the site of Roosevelt High School. At this point, there is no indication that the deal is in trouble. I’ve been told the city and school board are simply working out details before going public. But there is no reschedule date yet for the announcement.
Meanwhile, board member Joe Lacey released a statement saying he opposes the demolition of Roosevelt and doesn’t understand why the board is moving that direction without any public discussion. I’m working on a story about this for tomorrow.
Here’s Joe’s statement:
Opposition to the Proposed Demolition of Roosevelt High School
In light of this morning’s announcement of the Dayton City School District and the City of Dayton’s plans for the site of Roosevelt High School on West Third Street, I wish to make clear my opposition to the demolition of the Roosevelt school building.
The building is significant to our community, historically and architecturally. Built in 1923, it has architectural details important to maintaining the character of the neighborhood and the West Third corridor. Any new construction could not come close to creating this level of detail externally or internally. Its historic significance in Dayton’s early struggles with integration is important to our community.
Its demolition is not necessary to the Dayton City Schools new building program. The School District has no shortage of sites in the area that it owns that would be suitable for building a new school.
Its demolition is not necessary to the City of Dayton’s recreational complex plans as they have been presented to me. Roosevelt is one of five sites that the City has considered and I am assured by commission members that this site is only under consideration once the school board has decided that they will demolish Roosevelt, a decision that has not to my knowledge been made.
The plans for Roosevelt’s restoration by the collaborative of groups are viable and should be given the opportunity to succeed. I’ve witnessed very similar plans succeed in my own neighborhood’s Huffman School. Several Dayton Public School buildings have been renovated or reused successfully as offices, shops, housing and schools. The board members supporting demolition of Roosevelt have yet to demonstrate why renovation can’t work at Roosevelt.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
