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E-mail Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2008 > April > 14 > Entry
School tear down update
(Demolition at Cleveland Elementary School in 2005)
The Roosevelt High School demolition had been scheduled to begin Tuesday, but it has now been put off to May 1. I did not get an explanation for the delay.
Meanwhile, in today’s paper I wrote about a compromise plan to save part of Wilbur Wright Middle School that seems to have gained some traction both within the district and with the neighborhood and alumni groups trying to save the school.
Julienne High School supporters also have seen Lacey’s approach, which involves keeping some exterior walls and other elements of the original schools and building new structures behind them, and are at least open to discussing using it at Julienne.
But whatever is going to happen needs to happen fast. School board President Yvonne Isaacs made it clear she does not want this debate to roll on much past May 1. Stay tuned.
(Image credit: Chris Stewart, DDN)
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Dayton Public Schools, School Construction
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Comments
By Joe Lacey
April 15, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
If the only other option were demolition, I would try to save as much of the Lincoln Memorial that I could. That doesn’t diminish the historic argument at all. I wish we had saved parts of the old library, Steele High School or Dayton’s train station. And working for a compromise is not demagoguery. It’s called being practical. Wanting it all or nothing would be more the method of a demagogue.
By Kathy
April 15, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Scott, I was immediately drawn to the picture of Julianne High in your 4/14 article. Having had two children graduate from the school and having taught there for 6 years, I have wonderful memories of the great teaching,superior atmosphere, administrators who cared about kids and parents, and fun and enthusiasm from everyone. I also remember fondly (surprisingly) the 100 degree rooms in Spring and Fall, the clanking radiators, the creaking, leaking windows, and a too small gym that sent the sports teams to other facilities for official play. But the school I remember is not Julienne High, but Dayton Christian High School and Elementary. The DCschool system occupied and ran this complex for well over 20 years. It was done with the deepest respect for those who came before; that is, the Dayton Catholic community, and especially to those who attended, taught, and administered at the Julienne High School site! When in 2002,our new superindent, Dr. Lowry, along with the Board, decided to buy property in Centerville and sell the Homewood campus, within that school year, we were packing up, throwing out, and moving all. We were in shock, greatly mourned the loss of a beloved campus, and, sadly, but with great hope, moved on to a newer facility. We knew that when we let go of “control,” the campus could be gone forever. We (I) wish those well who want to preserve it, especially the new beautiful performing arts auditorium. However, I will say good-bye with everlasting memories of an old building, past its prime, that brought wonderful memories to generations of Dayton area families.
By crisp
April 15, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
I think the compromise is a good solution to the problem. We wanted to keep the entire Wilbur Wright building, but if that is not possible I would like to see some of it preserved. This will leave the neighborhood intact and not move the school from the original Huffman Ave. location to Burkhardt. The front of the building, which includes the auditorium would be preserved. Our neighborhood association has agreed this is a good option. It’s rather sad to see that Oldprof has the “my way or the highway” approach to this project and doesn’t think any compromise is warranted.
By DavidSS2
April 15, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
How disfunctional can the Dayton community get. You got school rebuilding to replace those you didn’t maintain with state and local money. Now you’re wasting that 85% State paid building program as you advertised during the levy campaign by trying to keep some of the old buildings, or parts, or pieces important to certain few catholic folks. Come on. Let’s get a life. Put up the new buildings the state taxpayers are giving you!
By Riverdale Ghost
April 14, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this
Since Henry Ford is no longer around to haul things to Michigan, perhaps someone should contact Bill Gates about a few things. That way, there would be no need for any further song and dance about how much something will cost. People could look over Roosevelt and the Pacific Ocean at the same time.
By Oldprof
April 14, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
Once again I get to cry “idiot”. If the building is historical, tearing down ANY of it renders the argument effete. Tell me, hyterical preservationists, what percentage of the Lincoln Memorial would you be willing to accept as a compromise? No, this is plain demagoguery that’s costing the public money in the form of construction delays and higher costs.