Buena Vista
Architect Hired To Study MGCC Building Option
At its Aug. 28 meeting, the Buena Vista School Board heard an update on possible solutions to the city’s aging middle school building.
Parry McCluer Middle School, now 100 years old, has long been in need of replacement. Earlier this year, the Board reviewed feasibility studies suggesting construction of a new PreK–7 facility near the high school, but the city lacks the funding and borrowing capacity to pursue such a project.
As an alternative, some Board members recently toured a building at Mountain Gateway Community College that was vacated by the institution. While the site has limitations, including no gym and narrow road access, Board members noted its appeal as a potential option.
Superintendent Dr. Heather Ault said an architect has been hired to summarize what renovations would be required to convert the MGCC facility into a middle school.
“We hope to get that information back from the architect in the next week or so,” Ault said. “After we have that, I would recommend convening a facility meeting … to digest that information and talk about next steps.”
Board members John Roberts and Paula Charlton serve on the facilities committee, with Lisa Kerr as substitute representative.
