GWINN, Mich. (WZMQ) – Gwinn Area Community Schools is considering consolidating their entire district into one building.
The project known as ‘one community, one school’ would relocate Gwinn’s two elementary schools to the existing high school building. The proposal as of now includes adding a two story elementary wing to the school, a cafeteria, and an auxiliary gym.
The project is estimated to cost $45 million, which the committee hopes will come from a 30 year bond.
“This is a huge project, but the impact is for multiple generations, this is a 30 year impact, and we want to have a facility this community can be proud of and continue to support our future generations,” said Gwinn Superintendent Brandon Bruce.
Members of the Steering committee, which has put together the proposal, say that assessments showed the cost to get the current school buildings renovated would be $41.5 million.
“That $45 million is yes, a little bit more than the $41.5 million it would be to repair, but the $41.5 million is only going to bring the schools to repair, and that’s still going to continue on, they are still old schools with old issues and old things,” remarked Lisa Misterly, a member of the Steering committee.
As of now the project is still in preliminary planning stages. Another townhall is planned for May 31st, at K.I Sawyer Elementary at 6:30 p.m. The steering committee is continuing to adjust the current proposal. At the end of the month the committee will meet with the state treasury who will either deny or accept the proposal.
Then the project will move to the school board, if approved the plan will be voted on in November.
