New Life for Old School Buildings

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WPMI) As the Baldwin County School System prepares to tackle the issue of new schools and how to pay for them, folks in Fairhope have some ideas of their own. Saving existing but abandoned school buildings is one way to go.

For most it's just the old Alternative School.

"This school behind us is on the chopping block to be demolished. It's there. We've asked respectfully that it not happen just yet because there's some exploration that needs to be done on what we can do with facility," said incoming School Board Member Cecil Chistenberry.

The school building sits in the center of a community on the outskirts of the Fairhope city limits. It's an area with a rich history that's been ignored for some time.

"Anytime we can see that be utilized to re-energize the south side of Fairhope with the added benefit of helping at risk children, it's a win-win situation," said Council President Jack Burrell.

The idea is to convert the vacant buildings into a school for troubled teens.

"It's not like in the court systems of, you either come here or go to jail. That's not what we are talking about. We're talking about a place so that children, youth would have a place to come to maybe be mentored," said Christenberry.

Life skills would be taught at the school. So far the family court system is behind the idea, so are churches and the police chief. This by the way was where Chief Joe Pettis went to school before desegregation.

"We have a boys and girls club that's basically for small kids. We want something for those who are 17, 18, 19 and 20 that we can bring in," said Pettis.

"There's a group of people who really feel a burning desire to step in and find solutions to problems that we are all dealing with," said Christenberry.

Those pushing this idea are hoping the school board will listen as it gets ready to unveil the plan for new schools next week. Fairhope is hoping the old Alternative School building, the old K-1 Center and the former Intermediate School, all closed schools, will get consideration when it comes to future growth.