Clare Public Schools will ask voters on May 2 to approve over $66 million worth of construction costs for a new high school and renovations at other district buildings.
But going into election day, the future of four large depression-era murals housed in Clare Middle School's auditorium still remains unclear.
The school's proposal also calls for the middle school to be torn down in order to make room for the new high school.
Jim Walter, superintendent of Clare Public Schools, said during and interview with WCMU, the district hasn't paid consultants but has spoken with three different groups who specialize in removing this kind of artwork.
The cost estimations the district received to reapply the murals in a new auditorium range from $500,000-$750,000.
"The struggle is whether the [school] board would spend a half a million or three quarters of a million dollars of money that was designed to educate kids," said Walter. "Or can we get the federal government to weigh in and help take care of their art."
The murals, painted in 1938, are owned by the federal government and was a part of the Public Works Administration, a New Deal initiative designed to put people back to work after the stock market crashed in 1929.
Under the school district's agreement, they have to let the federal government know they're going to tear down the building at least one year in advance. But, according to Walter, there's no details on who covers the cost.
Walter mentioned the district has reached out to Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow about the murals. He said Stabenow's office said they'll wait and see if the millage and bond proposals pass on May 2. Stabenow is a graduate of Clare High School.
"The value for Claire is really intrinsic," said Walter. "We have less than five people a year who ask to see the murals. That doesn't mean we don't value them as a school. But those are the facts. They don't add financially to us. They add intrinsically to the value here that we can talk to kids about the story of of public works during the depression era."
Clare Middle School's murals aren't the only fingerprints of a by-gone era left at the school.
Built in 1922, the middle school's basement still contains army-style bunk beds that were meant for people to sleep on in the event of a nuclear attack. Also in the bowels of the school are the remnants of rifle range built in 1955 by students to use for target practice.
Although Clare's school board voted unanimously to approve the bond and millage proposal, Walter said not everyone in the community is thrilled about the idea of the middle being torn down and are nostalgic about its characteristics and storied history.
According to Walter, the building has served the community well, but said that it's been difficult to maintain given its age.
"Mother nature and father time always have their way with manmade things. And they certainly are with the middle school and we're seeing some of the effects of trying to beat back water," said Walter.
The new high school proposal calls for a new auditorium, gymnasium and several other amenities like computer and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) labs and would provide the wood and metal shops their own separate spaces.
Walter said the new high school would be the biggest thing to happen in Clare Public Schools in his lifetime.
"I see it is a 21st century learning facility for kids designed for a new era where kids don't simply sit still in rows and memorize all day," said Walter. "They'll be able to get up and work with others and problem solve together."
