Hi Everyone!
Thank you for continuing to support preservation of the Roosevelt school building. I have exciting news to share, and an update on how you can help!
THIS MONDAY, January 15th, at 6pm, we are hosting a community meeting at Santia Hall. Several special guests will share ideas for the building and we'll gather input from local residents. We'll also talk about what YOU can do to help us sway the school board. Please join if you can, and bring a friend or neighbor with you!
I know this sometimes feels like a done deal that we can't do anything about, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Much progress has been made, and THIS IS ONLY INEVITABLE IF WE ALLOW IT. Please attend on Monday night to show how important this building is to our entire community!
The West Bloomfield School Board sadly continues to stand behind their demolition vote, despite the estimated $500k - $1M cost to taxpayers. They've declined to entertain purchase offers and alternative use ideas that would generate funding and save money for other educational projects.
Often the West Bloomfield School Board cites a charter school friendly state law from 2017 as justification for tearing down the building. I've personally consulted with groups that sponsored the law and they've confirmed that 1) the district does NOT have to sell to a charter school and 2) the law was intended to protect old school buildings from unnecessary destruction.
I can't explain why the WBSD feels it's acceptable to waste taxpayer money demolishing a local landmark that MANY are interested in converting into residential, commercial or non-profit uses, but EVERYONE should join us to demand an answer.
It's happening right now in Keego Harbor, but the flawed logic they're using could impact the future of any other historic school building in our state that's deemed no longer needed.
Please:
- Come to Santia Hall at 6pm on Monday night
- Join our SAVE ROOSEVELT Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/hPPneiCudGuLFpE4/?mibextid=adzO7l
- Email the school board (wbfboe@wbsd.org)
- Take our community survey (if local to the lakes: Rooseveltsurvey.com
And feel free to contact me directly with questions, ideas, legal referrals, or media inquiries:
Colleen Wade
colleen.wade@mac.com
(mention Roosevelt in the subject please)