By Sterling McGinn
The ornate former Newberry High School building, now vacant, will soon be disconnected from heat and power sources, and its future is uncertain.
But Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher Linus Parr has a vision that may save the structure from the wrecking ball and repurpose the old school for use in CTE and college classes and other functions.
Parr brought his ideas to the August 18 meeting of Tahquamenon Area Schools (TAS) Board of Education where he presented to the board and audience. The meeting took place in the board meeting room at 6 p.m. There were 17 members of the public in attendance. Board members Jeff Puckett and Colleen Duflo were absent that night.
“I can’t let an old building fade into the dust—turning off the light and walking away is not a solution,” Parr said. “I believe there is lots of potential and opportunities in the old building. We need to find innovative ways to fund the ideas that come to the table.”
One of those ideas, Parr said, would be to turn the former woodshop into a small engine class.
“It has new wiring and an in-floor exhaust system,” Parr said. He thinks the garage portion at the end of the shop wing could be turned into a welding class.
Parr noted that the CTE millage funds in the last five years have brought in nearly a quarter of a million dollars, which pay for wages, equipment, tools, and maintenance for those areas.
“CTE was one of the top line items for the state budget this year,” Parr said. “They are pumping money into the CTE programs. If you start small engine or welding, those are CTE jobs.”
Parr brainstormed ideas to find funding for the project, and suggested that local businesses and corporations could sponsor rooms.
“We have to find funds to save that building,” he said. “We could have a sponsorship wall.”
Construction began in 1926 on the former high school building and was completed in 1927. In the school bond project, which is nearing completion, the high school building was to be essentially “mothballed” – closed, but left standing. The building’s roof is in very bad shape.
All middle school and high school classes have moved to the second floor of the elementary building, which was refurbished as part of the bond project. The former science wing, located directly behind the J. L. DeCook Gymnasium locker rooms, was reconfigured to relocate the wood shop and CTE rooms.
According to Parr, Athletic Director Anthony Kitzman has suggested having colleges or universities teach in the old high school.
“In Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College has what they call the university center,” said Parr. “At this facility, they currently have CMU, Davenport, Ferris State, and MSU teaching classes there. People can get bachelors, doctorates, or anything they want at the university center. Imagine attending a class right where you live.”
Suggestions of creating third-floor apartments were also made.
Parr also feels that the school district should have their own full-time grant writer. “I would like to see at least 10 grants written a month and let one of those grants be the person’s wage,” he said.
An action committee or ad-hoc committee will be created to share ideas on how to save the building and finance the project. Superintendent Shawn Tebo that she will invite people to come to the meeting and wants to be a part of it.
“I agree with everything that he [Parr] said,” stated Tebo “There are a lot of opportunities and I think there are a lot of people who want to see that building stand and continue.” There will be a posting of dates for a first meeting very soon.
During public comment that evening, residents Kevin Vanatta, Barb Bennett, and Laura Generou welcomed Superintendent Shawn Tebo to the school district and the community.
“I want to thank the board and administration for coming up with two very common-sense policies regarding cellphone usage and additionally a dress code policy,” Bennett said.
“On day five of the job, Mrs. Tebo visited by place of work,” said Vanatta. “I have been there for 41 years, and I have never had someone come in and say ‘I am coming here to listen to you.’”
“I am hearing a lot of positive comments from the public—keep it going, we have a good thing happening.”
“This is a beginning of a new era for Newberry—we have a brand-new start, and it seems to be going really well,” Generou. said “There are times when thing don’t go so well. When those things happen, I hope that rather than going on Facebook, those people come to you as board members and bring their concerns.”
In her administrative report, Tebo said asphalt has been laid for the modified front driveway, which is the final bond project.
