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Last minute rally to save old CCHS likely too late
Frank White, executive director of the Alabama Historical Commission, wrote a letter to Superintendent of Education Gerald Stephens and school board members last week asking that the demolition be postponed "so that an alternative use can be found for the main sec- Petition drive Kathleen LaFlore, a CCHS graduate, is putting together a petition to present to Stephens and members of the Clarke County Board of Education. The petition has been circulated by hand around Grove Hill and by e-mail. "If you support saving CCHS, please let Gerald Stephens know you support using the building for something other than a parking lot (that is what is planned for the space where CCHS sits). Grove Hill needs a community center and this would be a good location, funds are available via grants so we can find enough money to support this. Please forward [the petition] to all on your email list that would be interested in saving CCHS…if you would like your name added to the petition please email klafore@msn.com and I will add you to the list." "I would like to have enough names by Wednesday [Feb. 13] to deliver to Gerald Stephens and on behalf of all supporters ask him to wait until we can discuss possibilities for the building." LaFlore and White of the Alabama Historical Commission point to the school's history as reason for saving it. LaFlore noted that it was built in 1936 with "New Deal" federal money to help spark growth during the Great Depression. "Historic school buildings, especially ones as important as the old Grove Hill High School, reflect the history of the community and those who built them. These buildings possess character, a sense of history, and a level of craftsmanship that often times can't be duplicated today," wrote White. "Historic schools can be adapted to new uses such as community centers, or they can be renovated to meet the requirements of a first class, 21st century educational curriculum." LaFlore has also enlisted support from State Rep. Marc Keahey, D-Grove Hill, and asks citizens to call him about the building too. Ironically, a lot of the interest in the old building seems to be coming from people who are from Grove Hill and went to school and graduated at CCHS but no longer live in Grove Hill or the area. LaFlore has only recently returned to Grove Hill after living for years in Texas. A lot of local residents have said they do not want to see the building torn down but have done little other than talk about it. However, one report that could not be confirmed is that the school board office has received over 1,000 calls in the last several weeks in support of not tearing down the old school. Julia Ann Deas, an employee of the school board, said the board wished people had responded earlier. She said the demolition of the old building was included in the nearly $6 million construction contract for the new school and that the details of the demolition were discussed in open meetings at the time, over two years ago. No one said anything at the time about saving either the old 1920s grammar school building that was removed to make room for the new school, or the 1936 building. An editorial late last year in The Clarke County Democrat suggested moving the board's central office to the old school. Plans are being discussed now to relocate the board office to the old health department building on Clarke Street when the health department moves into new quarters on Highway 84 East. Suggestions have problems, says board rep Deas said many people do not realize that the Clarke County Commission is obligated by law to provide the school board with office space. Since the school system owns the old CCHS property, using the old school for a central office might be hard to do. As for developing the building into a public community center, that would also be difficult since it is on the CCHS campus and there are explicit rules and regulations about who can be on the campus. However, Sage Auditorium on the campus is frequently used for public events and CCHS charges rent for many activities there. Superintendent Stephens has remained steadfast that the building is coming down and lost his cool on the subject at a ribbon cutting and open house for the new CCHS last week. Stephens said the old building was "worn slam out" and that was "reason enough" to tear it down but "there are many other reasons that you don't know about." He was critical of what he termed "naysayers" and "stumbling blocks" to progress. He said he saw many at the ribbon cutting who did a lot to help the school. "And then I see those naysayers, they just complain about what hasn't been done. I don't want to see them and I don't want to talk to them." Contacts Those interested in saving the old CCHS may call Stephens at his Grove Hill office, 251-275-3255. In addition, Clint Hawkins and Marty Parker are school board representatives from Grove Hill and can be contacted too. Other school board members include the Rev. T. L. Douglas and Barry Chancey of Jackson and Charlie Anderson of Thomasville.
Rep. Marc Keahey's Grove Hill office phone is 275-3127. The Alabama Legislature is in session now and he is there Tuesday through Thursday. His office number in Montgomery is 334- 242-7748.
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