What lies ahead?
Read more: Local, Community, Education
(Dallas City, Ill.) Dallas City has not had a high school of its own since a reorganization created Illini West High School in July of 2007
But the old high school building still is being used by several community groups.
Now, some structural issues are forcing those groups to relocate.
Those same issues also are threatening a nearby Dallas City historic landmark known as the Castle.
KHQA's Jarod Wells talked to the superintendent to find out what will be done with the two properties.
The Dallas City Castle, as it is known, that was built in 1895 is no longer in use and is in dire need of repairs. The old High School is still used by a community boxing club and as a dance studio. Structural issues forced the district to close that facility.
"The locations of the chimneys are near where students and other patrons might be in danger. And for that reason a decision was made to discontinue using the facility until we come up with a plan or a process to determine what we are going to do with them in the future," said Jo Campbell, Dallas City School Superintendent.
The district also recently found out about a bad roof over the old high school gym. Repairs were estimated at $225,000 just for that portion. And Campbell says that work may lead to more repairs inside.
"Our district currently does not have enough bonding capacity available to complete all of the repairs and to maintain the facilities," said Campbell.
A special meeting was held Monday, November 9th to get input from the community on the two properties. The main concerns were preserving the historic value of the castle and having a place for the groups that use the highschool.
"The ongoing question that many people have and we as a school district have is where is the best place to invest those limited funds that we have," said Campbell.
Campbell says the school district could look at adding a community center onto the elementary school when state funding becomes available. Or it could use those funds to repair the old properties. And the district could seek help from state historical societies to find an owner that would preserve the historical value of the castle. But only one thing is certain.
Campbell "We really have not made a decision."
The groups currently using the high school were told to relocate by December 1st.
Campbell says the two properties will be a topic of discussion at the regular school board meeting November 24th.
And he says it will remain on the agenda until a decision is reached.
