The ulterior motives of the Manistee School Board are not going unnoticed and we demand that they educated themselves on the principles of sustainability, providing real “state of the art” facilities for students, and being good stewards of Landmark buildings in the City of Manistee. The School Board’s intentions of tearing down the existing building to build a parking lot and playground is incred
ibility suspicious provided that there is currently a surplus of parking in front of the building and there is a huge athletic field where playground equipment can be installed. It is evident that the demolition will be followed by a “panic” of there not being enough space for students and another new building will have to be built. Why not just take care of the buildings that we already have? Could it be that the School Board members just like seeing their names on plaques outside of buildings that they build on the City’s dime? Let’s say “NO” to the School Board and tell them to “TAKE CARE OF THE BUILDINGS YOU CURRENTLY HAVE.”
The old Manistee High School, constructed in 1925 is NOT beyond repair, however, the School Board has let the building fall into a state of decay. This building IS SAVEABLE and provides more value to the building stock of Manistee than the “new” high school. This building could be transformed into a true “state of the art” facility, utilizing geothermal heating and cooling, and solar panels that are manufactured in Michigan to produce electricity. This building could become a living, breathing machine to educate Manistee’s younger generations about sustainable energy solutions. Nay-sayers will argue that old buildings supposedly require more maintenance, however, ALL buildings require maintenance, and historic buildings are not really all that different from any other modern buildings. The Old Manistee High School is apart of the historic character of the Victorian Port City of Manistee. Losing this building will not only leave a hole in our hearts, but a hole in our City. Let’s not let our School Board fulfill their own interests at the expense of the Taxpayers and the Students. Let’s say NO to their shenanigans and YES to SAVE OLD MANISTEE HIGH SCHOOL!
