Residents urge preservation as board moves ahead with Melrose school work

Sherry Sims, a Melrose resident, told the Putnam County School Board she was surprised and upset to learn that the district plans to remove an approximately 80-year-old school building at the corner of State Road 26 and 21. “You’re about to destroy, one of our historical buildings,” Sims said during public comment, and urged the district to consider restoring or repurposing the structure through a nonprofit or local historical society.

Board members and staff responded that safety concerns and Department of Education criteria informed the decision to remove parts of the building. Board members said a ceiling had earlier fallen through a classroom and that some parts of the structure were not salvageable. The district confirmed the gym and certain wings will remain and said students will be moved to a renovated Building 6 rather than into portables.

Commissioners and board members noted the district held community meetings and that a representative from Melrose served on the bond oversight committee. Josh Alexander, a county commissioner who attended the meeting, asked whether the Melrose Historical Society might be given an opportunity to save or move the building; district staff said they would ask but expressed doubt about whether the structure could be moved.

The board did not change course at the meeting; staff reiterated they had completed structural assessments and that safety was the primary concern. Several board members commended Superintendent Lundy’s outreach to families and encouraged continued transparency as construction work proceeds.

Next steps: staff said they would follow up with the board about any possibilities to preserve or transfer the building, and alumni and residents indicated they will continue tours and documentation efforts.