The Old Howard Grade School Building

[binnwu]

I read in the Flint Hills Express that the city was pumping out an old school basement and then I read on this site that the city gov't may be doing this at no charge to the property owner.

There is something wrong when the city provides services to certain citizens that it doesn't provide everyone.

You'll usually find that something illegal is happening.

Kansas has state laws that provide citizens with legal means to correct situations like this; just get on the state website and you'll find someone with the state that will help you get the process started.

But, it sounds like the city officials should hold an open meeting to discuss this situation ASAP.

[W. Gray]

Didn't they say in the same meeting, the city would consider tearing the building down?

That won't be cheap. It is a two story brick and cement building.

[W. Gray]

Is there anyone on the forum that went to school in that building and can describe the inside?

It looks like it might have been a pretty nice building at one time.

It was built, I think, in the 1940s or thereabouts and was the Howard grade school back when each town had its own schools. It is on west Randolph.

It has been in a sad state of disrepair for several years inhabited by pigeons and all windows broken out.

My understanding is that the city has already pumped it out at least once before.

[Mom70x7]

Margaret Gragg taught in that building, I think.
If she did, several other retired teachers in the area probably did as well.

Although most everyone refers to it as the old grade school, above the main door on the north side is the word "Library."
Original use?

[W. Gray]

The Elk County history book does not have a photo but says a new grade school was constructed in 1937 at a cost of $45,000.

Another section on the Howard Library says the Howard Library was taken over by the city in 1935 and shortly thereafter moved to its present location (in 1979, which may be where it is now).

Maybe it was the Howard Schools library since the high school and grade school used to be there together?

[patyrn]

Everyone who grew up in Howard from the 1930s until the early 1970s attended grade school from Grade 1 through Grade 8 in this building.  It was never a high school, although the gymnasium that the entire school used and where high school basketball games were held was a part of the Grade School building.  The high school building (3 stories tall) was on the same block right next to the present Extension Building facing Pennsylvania.  The Extension Building was built in the 1950s and housed the cafeteria, woodworking classes, and all the Agricultural  classes.  The earliest Kindergarten classes beginning in 1954 were in a room in the high school building but moved within a couple of years to the grade school building.  The room in the grade school building which is labeled "Library" was originally the grade school library.  By the time I started school in the mid-1950s, each classroom had a small library area and the original library was used for classrooms from then on. 

Although I do not live in Howard fulltime, I am a property owner there and am concerned about taxpayers footing the bill for property that belongs to individuals.  We have been told that this same situation happened when some buildings on Main Street were in a state of disrepair.  Something is not right with this picture....................and hopefully concerned citizens will speak up and take this issue in front of the city council before we all, as taxpayers, end up being billed for thousands of dollars of fees.  It's hard enough to have watched this building be so abused and neglected, but to have to pay for it to be rectified doesn't make sense.

[Wilma]

I was told the other day that there is a state regulation that lets the owner out of any responsibility.  The person who told me didn't know anymore than that.  Maybe someone whose fingers and arms don't get as tired as mine could research it and see if there is anything to it.

[Teresa]

The system... where this is concerned..... "stinks"...

I am rather upset about this..and I would imagine that the council members don't much like this either.. ... but there isn't a darn thing that they can do about it. Legally, they are between a rock and a hard place.
 I have loudly voiced my opinion on it ( I know that you all on the forum are shocked to hear THAT..  ..yeahhh rightttt) 
And I was told all the details involved. The property owner has to do nothing where this is concerned. Because of "legal" paperwork.
Legal Smegal... I don't care about all of that! I believe anyone who buys property should be liable for it no matter what. If it makes a profit.. great.. if it doesn't and goes to crap.. then that is the chance you take too!
 It is NOT the city's (us) responsibility to take care of someone else's bad or good purchases.   
I realize that there is always 2 sides to look at a situation, but I am so tired of legal loopholes that take away and skirt peoples responsibilities. If the  building was in this shape ( and it was)  when the owners bought it....and they knew that they didn't have the financial means to repair it.. then why buy it? Why knowingly buy a liability with no intention of making it an asset?

I would love to start discussing it.(I've probably said too much already)    . but to be honest.. I feel that I can't, ( for personal reasons) so please understand why I am having to  stand on the sidelines gritting my teeth on this subject.

[binnwu]

Excellent comments, Teresa! It sounds like everyone on the forum has basically the same point-of-view. 

Now you need to get together and make things happen!

The city gov't is ran by elected officials who are suppose to follow the law and work for the citizens in doing what is best for the city of Howard.  If that is not happening, which sounds like that's the case with the old grade school, then you must voice your concerns to the city officials.

Someone or a small group has to take the lead and get people organized. Then you need to get on the agenda for a city council meeting and give them an idea of how many people you anticipate attending so that the meeting room is an adequate size.

Just be straight forward and express your concerns.  If your attendance is limited, you might want to consider drawing up a petition for people to sign that outlines your concerns with the school's water removal and plans for the building.

It sounds like the school is a real health hazard and eye-sore to the community.  But, how can a city of 800 people sit back and let the city spends it's revenue on clean-up and possible demolition when the building is owned by an individual or entity.

If the city does do this at the city's expense, then what happens with all future buildings and homes in Howard that become health hazards and eye-sores?  Surely the city can't afford to clean-up every property in Howard.

The Elk County Forum is a great format for improving commications in Howard and all of Elk County.

Please use this "great commincations tool" to make a difference in your community!  Your children and grrandchildren and all future generations in Howard are counting on you!!

   
 

[Wilma]

What do we do if the city's hands are tied by a state regulation?