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Dexter Historical Society asks school board for storage and help moving historic depot
Summary
At public comment, the Dexter Historical Society asked the board for storage space or display access as the district readies buildings for replacement, described a plan to return a 1909 depot, and reported a moving estimate of $51,000 and a possible gift of the depot from its current owner.
Representatives of the Dexter Historical Society asked the school board during public comment for a place to store artifacts and, if feasible, a small space for a community museum as the district moves ahead with building plans.
Leanne Sandival, speaking for the society, told trustees the group has used district rooms to house a museum and storage and that the planned removal of an older district building requires relocation of their collection, including about 10 file cabinets of local records. Sandival described efforts to return a historic depot (built in 1909) from private property in Roswell and said she had obtained a mover estimate of $51,000 to relocate the building; she also said the family that currently owns the depot has offered to gift it to the society (waiving a previously requested $20,000 purchase price). The society is starting a local fundraising campaign and plans to circulate donation boxes and QR codes to collect funds.
Sandival asked whether nonprofit groups could partner with the school for fundraising and whether the district could host collection boxes or provide temporary storage. The board said it would check policy on solicitation and consider options (including a district PO box for donations) and encouraged coordination between the society and district staff.
Why it matters: The request raises questions about long‑term storage and public access to local artifacts during school construction and about district policy for community fundraising on school property. The society’s fundraising goal and the logistics of moving a historic structure are material considerations for future decisions.
The board accepted the society’s correspondence and public comments and directed staff to follow up on storage options and policy constraints.
