Historic Neighborhood Schools Deliver 21St Century Educations

Historic Neighborhood Schools Deliver 21st Century Educations

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities

Constance E. Beaumont features lacking in newer schools, neighborhoods. This “easy fit” facili- May 2003 such as inspiring architecture, grand tates greater involvement by parents auditoriums, large windows, and and residents in the school and can meticulous craftsmanship. make communities more amenable any people equate old to passing future bond issues. The schools with substandard The generally smaller size of historic proximity of these schools to estab- Mschools, but as hundreds of neighborhood schools often means lished residential neighborhoods, school districts throughout the United more personal attention for stu- coupled with the typically pedestrian- States have shown, well-renovated, dents—something most educators friendly layout of the neighborhoods well-maintained historic schools can favor and extensive research supports. themselves, means more students support a first-class twenty-first- Their small scale can help them be can walk or bike to school. Thus century educational program. More- safer and more secure and also lets states and school districts can save over, such schools often provide them fit gracefully into residential

Lewis and Clark High School found innovative solutions to preserving architectural character while providing a first-class educational facility.

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities 1090 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005–4905 888–552–0624 www.edfacilities.org 2 Historic Neighborhood Schools Deliver 21st Century Educations on student transportation costs and Lewis and Clark “superior to any other high school invest more heavily in programs west of the Mississippi” soon after that foster student learning. High School it opened. Look Magazine in 1946 Spokane, Washington designated LC as one of the hun- Recent renovations of historic dred best schools in the U.S. The schools in Spokane, Washington; school’s reputation for excellence San Antonio, Texas; and Boise, Go to Spokane, and at the base of continues to this day. Year after Idaho, illustrate these points and the city’s South Hill neighborhood year, a large percentage of LC’s challenge the notion that well- on the edge of downtown you will graduates attend college, where renovated historic schools cannot find Lewis and Clark High School, a they generally perform well. SAT meet modern standards. This article Collegiate-Gothic structure com- scores are high. Drawing students recounts the stories of these pleted in 1912. Built with the finest from rich, middle-class, and poor schools and concludes with several materials and ornamented with neighborhoods, LC is the educational briefer examples that show how terra cotta, a crenellated parapet, home to an economically and communities have found creative and a clock tower, the school that racially diverse student body. In solutions to common problems. locals call “LC” was heralded in the short, the school is a community press as the “pride of the city” and

Nineteen “character defining” features at Lewis and Clark include the now-restored auditorium (left) and two open stairwells. A pedestrian bridge (right) connects the historic and new structures, resulting in a greatly expanded educational facility. crossroads and symbolizes dedication Company of Spokane to conduct the wooden floors, and two open to educational and architectural project. stairwells connecting the school’s excellence. four levels. Although the building had been well By the mid-1990s, however, the maintained over the years, it posed Solutions would be found to the vari- school’s electrical, plumbing, and many challenges. Besides having ous technical and design challenges. other systems were failing from age. antiquated electrical and plumbing To address fire safety issues posed by Some people viewed LC as obsolete systems, the school lacked air condi- the stairwells, the architects contacted and favored replacing it with a new tioning. Its library was cramped; its Anthony C. Meister, a fire safety school on a larger site. They argued science and athletic facilities, inade- expert with FP&C Consultants of that a modern school could not be quate. Open stairwells did not meet Kansas City, Missouri. Using technical housed in a 1912 building and that, modern fire codes. Classrooms were studies his firm conducted, Meister with less than three acres, LC should too small, and inspectors found demonstrated that the school’s high be on a larger site. Although athletes asbestos and lead-based varnish ceilings and proposed fire sprinkler had to ride shuttle buses three miles within the structure. system would allow smoke to collect to reach ball fields, the prospect of far above building occupants in a fire, losing such a revered institution gal- giving them time to evacuate. His vanized a campaign by alumni, his- Assets Worth Saving analysis meant the school could retain toric preservationists, and Spokanites Yet LC had distinctive assets the two historic stairwells without compro- to persuade the school board to ren- community wanted saved, including mising fire safety. ovate LC and build a new addition nineteen “character-defining” fea- “Right-sizing” classrooms to meet the across the street. After heated tures identified by the Spokane school district’s standard of 900 debate, the Spokane School District Landmarks Commission, school dis- square feet required the removal of decided to save LC and proposed a trict administrators, and the city’s non-load-bearing walls. Instead of local bond issue in 1998 to finance historic preservation officer. Among using heavy “Bobcat®” machines its renovation and expansion. Voters these features were a terra cotta that would have over-stressed the approved the bond, and the district facade, craftsman-style woodwork, a wooden floors, the demolition con- hired the Northwest Architectural magnificent auditorium, handsome tractor employed lighter, robot-like

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claws to remove interior walls. The architects specified the installation of Another Historic Building Saved fiber optic wiring for computer net- works, fire alarm systems, and other he future of Lewis and Clark High School hung in the balance in equipment in spaces created by T 1987 when the Spokane School District was thinking about aban- installing dropped ceilings four feet doning the 1912 landmark for a new school on a new site. Rob beneath the original fourteen-foot ceilings. This also improved acous- Brewster, Jr., then LC’s student-body president, was so concerned about tics. To meet seismic codes, the this prospect that he wrote the editor of The Spokesman Review: “Take architects used steel to tie floor a walk down Lewis and Clark High School’s marble halls,” he wrote. plates to exterior masonry walls and “Look at its marvelous auditorium with its enormous windows and thou- parapets to the roof structure. To sand-pipe organ. Study the immense paintings by famous artists lining reduce energy costs, they installed its halls; then ask: ‘Do we preserve or destroy this treasure?’ ” double-glazed windows. An entirely new, but architecturally Arguing that future students would lose nearly 100 years of school tradi- compatible, building was constructed tions and history if LC were relocated, Brewster and others urged the across the street from the original LC school district to reconsider its plan. The district did reconsider, and structure. This field house includes eleven years later Brewster played another important role in LC’s preser- two state-of-the-art gyms (one with vation by buying and renovating Spokane’s Holley-Mason Building, a seating for 2,000 people), a wrest- vacant structure downtown that served as temporary classroom space ling room, strength training and aero- bics facilities, band practice rooms, for students during LC’s rehabilitation. Built in the Renaissance Revival and two regular classrooms with style in 1905, the Holley-Mason building was advertised as Spokane’s soundproof walls to insulate them first fireproof building and is listed on the National Register of Historic from outside noise. An underground Places. The nearly century-old structure had been sitting empty for garage provides 100 parking spaces, twenty-eight years when Brewster bought it in 1998. while 200 surface spaces are located nearby. Because the school lies with- The school district’s decision to enter into a lease with Brewster, cou- in the city’s central business district, pled with the availability of preservation tax incentives, enabled him to it was exempted from creating 150 obtain bank financing for Holley-Mason’s $4.5 million renovation. The additional parking spaces that would building’s historic status triggered a twenty percent federal rehabilitation have been required otherwise. A sky- walk connects the original building to tax credit as well as a ten-year property tax abatement allowed by the new one, keeping students off a Washington State for rehabilitated historic structures. These tax incen- busy street. Both the old and the tives were critical to reclaiming Holley-Mason. new buildings are four stories tall, have elevators, and comply with the The award-winning renovation generated 150 local construction jobs as Americans with Disabilities Act. well as sales tax revenue on materials purchased locally during the project. At the end of the ten-year property tax abatement period, the city It took $41.2 million—$2 million less than the estimated cost of a new expects to more than recoup foregone taxes. Now that students have school—to complete the renovation returned to the LC site, Holley-Mason functions as a high-technology and addition. The state contributed center, employing 650 people. The building also houses a new high- $14.2 million; the local bond issue, tech high school made possible by the Bill and Melinda Gates $27 million. The state also helped by Foundation and Brewster. By reclaiming a derelict building, the Spokane not pressuring the school to meet School District and Brewster not only provided temporary student space strict acreage standards, which could have necessitated the demolition of but also helped the city rejuvenate a blighted area. nearby homes or forced LC to relo- cate to the edge of town.

The site, expanded to five and one- capital projects, LC’s renovation has half acres with the new addition, generated such positive public senti- remains small compared to that of ment that the school district has most new high schools. LC Principal accelerated the timing of another Mike Howson sees the school’s bond issue from 2007 to 2003. downtown proximity, which was possible because of its small size, as a distinct advantage. “Field trips, men- Historic Schools toring, work-study programs—we do all these things just by walking,” he In San Antonio said. “The city center offers many San Antonio, Texas resources.” “This place is just great,” Howson Nearly half the schools in the San said, speaking in general about the Antonio Independent School District renovation. “Attendees at a workshop (SAISD) are historic. As is true we recently held said we should throughout the country, these charge admission for people just to schools generally are small and nes- enter the building. If you simply bull- tled into the communities they serve. doze a school, you lose so much tra- Many are architectural gems and a dition and support from the commu- source of neighborhood pride. “You nity. That takes years to regain.” couldn’t afford to build buildings of this quality today,” says Paula Piper, Students, teachers, and the local cit- former president of the San Antonio izenry also seem pleased with the Conservation Society (SACS). “Prom- results. LC’s hallways are bright and inent architects built these schools. shiny. Classrooms are equipped with Everything now is generic. Our his- the latest technology. The building toric schools weren’t generic; they meets modern life-safety and access reflected our culture.” requirements. And yet dozens of features—a pipe organ purchased But an assessment of school facility through student donations back in conditions conducted in 1996 by the 1920s, marble statuary on stair Saldana Associates revealed that all landings, artwork on the walls—dis- ninety-two schools in this district, tinguish LC from most nondescript, including forty-two historic schools, big-box schools of today. Any visitor needed improvements. Many schools walking up the school’s marble- required new roofs, electrical sys- stepped entrance can see that LC tems, and infrastructure to support has a long and distinguished history. computer technology. Overcrowding was so bad that nearly every school A Satisfied Community had to use portable classrooms. A few schools needed total replacement, and a school bond hadn’t When the Spokane School District been approved in nearly thirty years. held an open house in August 2001, more than 15,000 people Many of San Antonio’s historic schools turned out to celebrate LC’s reopen- might have faced the wrecking ball in ing. The crowds were so large that the celebration had to be held over three days. According to Ned Many of San Antonio’s schools, such as Jefferson High School, are architectural Hammond, director for planning and gems and sources of neighborhood pride.

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1997 when the district began devel- architectural significance, perhaps it of the ninety-two buildings be pre- oping a request for voter approval would consider renovation rather served and renovated with assis- of a $483 million bond issue. But than replacement. As she noted, tance from the bond issue. enlightened school officials, preser- “After World War II, schools were vation advocates, and local citizens never again built with such fine work- Appreciating Renovation’s with an appreciation for history pre- manship, quality materials, or wealth vented this from happening. of ornamental details in stone, terra Built-In Cost Benefits cotta, and tile.” The school district, meanwhile, cre- An Architectural Survey Williams personally visited all the ated a citizens advisory committee schools in the district, photographed to help shape a comprehensive capi- Worried about the prospect of los- them, and explored their histories. tal improvement program and bond ing schools that had anchored She exhibited her research and request for the 1997 ballot. Charles neighborhoods for generations, Jody numerous photographs in a detailed John, a restoration architect on the Williams, a former teacher and vice- architectural survey, which was vali- committee, recalls explaining to president of SACS, surveyed San dated and enhanced by local archi- committee members how the Antonio’s historic schools. Williams tectural historians. SACS presented schools could be repaired and thought that if the school district this information to the school brought up to modern standards— understood its schools’ historic and district, recommending that forty-two often at lower cost than new

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities 1090 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005–4905 888–552–0624 www.edfacilities.org Historic Neighborhood Schools Deliver 21st Century Educations 7 construction. “No one could argue arguments and reinforced them with important because many people have that the buildings did not need the school board.” difficulty imagining how an older repairs,” John said. However, with new building, especially one that has Both Williams’ survey and the involve- construction, he explained, as much been allowed to deteriorate, can be ment of preservation architects on the as twenty-five percent of the cost lies transformed into cheery, light-filled, advisory committee made a difference, in preparing the site, laying the build- well-functioning space. according to Kamal Elhabr, associate ing foundation, and installing utilities. superintendent for bond construction. Another twenty-five percent goes The SACS survey showed which school Bond Issue toward the building structure—its buildings were significant. “It’s impor- framing, walls, and roof. “With an his- By the time the bond issue was tant to identify what is historic and toric building, you already have those ready to go before the public, the what isn’t,” Elhabr said. “Most people components in place,” John said. “So advisory committee and the school involved in the school facility assess- right off the bat you are fifty-percent district had agreed that San An- ments [conducted to guide decisions to the good on your budget.” It also tonio’s historic schools should be about construction] are not historic helped to juxtapose photographs of preserved and renovated. Accord- experts. They do need this informa- historic schools with those of newer ingly, the district included funds to tion.” He believes that preservation ones—especially schools built in the improve all forty-two of the historic architects influenced the school dis- 1970s and 1980s. “The contrast schools that had been identified in trict’s decision to renovate rather than between the beauty and distinctive the $483 million bond issue (the replace as many as eight of the forty- character of the historic schools and largest bond in Texas history at the two historic schools that were saved. the ugliness of the newer ones was time). Because of the school dis- startling,” he said. “Finally, we empha- The advisory committee’s acceptance trict’s willingness to include SACS sized the importance of the schools' of the preservation recommendations in the planning process—and to history and the legacy left by those also was aided by the recent renova- consider renovation options—SACS who had gone before, many of whose tion and expansion of Bonham endorsed the bond issue. kids were now going to the schools. Elementary School, an historic land- On September 27, 1997, the bond Over time, people picked up on these mark dating to 1893. In 1996, the was approved by a vote of 9,673 to local firm Alamo Architects had com- 4,394. pleted life-safety, accessibility, and other improvements to the main As the bond program proceeded, the Bonham building while creating a school district selected architecture well-designed two-story addition. The firms, choosing several with experi- historic King William neighborhood ence in rehabilitation. This was served by the school was happy with important to the preservation com- the results. The Bonham project munity because architects experi- helped people visualize what could enced only in new construction often be accomplished through renovation. mishandle historic building renova- As Ann McGlone, the city’s historic tions or unnecessarily inflate the preservation officer, explained, “It costs of such projects. “Many firms provided a visual aid.” This was that only have experience in new construction do not understand the Facing needed improvements for 42 historic nature of rehabilitation work,” said schools, San Antonio completed an exten- Charles John. “They don't understand sive architectural survey that documented how to do it. They don't understand important features, such as quality materi- what is necessary or—probably even als and a wealth of ornamental detail in stone, terra cotta, and tile. more important—what you shouldn’t do to a building.” The now-being-renovated Jefferson High School, shown here, exhibits the kind of architectural detailing and quality workman- ship that is difficult to duplicate today.

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Improvements to Schools Code for Building Conservation in students, teachers, and principals assessing the facilities and determin- were pleased with the results. Since the bond issue passed in ing the scope of work needed. By “There is no way you could duplicate 1997, virtually all of San Antonio’s allowing for certain trade-offs, this some of the buildings we are restoring,” schools have undergone improve- code makes it easier (and less said George Watson, SAISD project ments, and about eighty-percent of costly) to preserve and renovate his- coordinator. Noting the fine details the projects are complete. Improve- toric buildings without compromising and craftsmanship evident in the his- ments have included the removal of safety. Modern building codes often- toric schools, he added, “We don’t asbestos and lead paint as well as times rule out older building materi- build ’em that way today.” the installation of air-conditioning, als and methods, even though the elevators, fiber optic cable, fire latter may result in buildings as safe alarms, sprinklers, call-back commu- as new ones. nications systems, and ramps Boise High School SAISD Board of Trustees President designed to improve school access. Boise, Idaho Julian Trevino reports that teachers To meet the school district’s standard and students are excited about the classroom size of 850 square feet, renovation results, and he comments The Clegg family chose to move to certain classrooms were enlarged, appreciatively on the amenities often Boise, Idaho’s historic North End with space acquired in some cases found in historic schools—such as neighborhood in 1980 largely by narrowing the corridors. To create big windows. “I once served as prin- because it had an elementary larger libraries where necessary, cipal at a school with almost no win- school, a junior high, and a high classrooms were combined. The dows,” he said. “It resembled four school within walking distance of a Texas Education Agency and SAISD huge shoe boxes and was not con- home they liked. To Elaine Clegg, showed flexibility regarding classroom ducive to learning.” mother of five, the ability of her chil- size. “We’ve accepted that some dren to walk to schools was a huge classrooms in historic schools will be Elhabr, too, is upbeat about the draw: “I remembered from my own 750, 850, or 900 square feet,” said results: “I receive many compliments childhood how wonderful it was to be associate superintendent Kamal about the fact that we didn’t do close to a school. Here in the North Elhabr, “but the schools can manage cookie-cutter designs. We met the End, our grade school is just four issues relating to these sizes. Rather commitment that we set out for our- blocks away; our junior high, one and than putting twenty-two students in a selves to preserve our historic 750-square-foot classroom, the schools. I wouldn’t have done it any school might limit class size there to other way.” eighteen.” Given the national groundswell for smaller schools and A Heritage Preserved class sizes, where students receive more individual attention, this seems Instead of demolishing its collection an acceptable compromise, but it of older schools, SAISD listened to contrasts with the attitude of some San Antonians, who asked that their state education departments and heritage—and the many small, com- local school districts, whose rigid munity-centered schools so impor- stance on classroom size require- tant to the health of city neighbor- ments often condemns historic hoods—be preserved. At the same schools to demolition. time, the school district advanced its goal of improving classroom space Steven Souter, an architect with for students, teaching facilities for Marmon Mok, a local firm selected teachers, and safety and access for to work on fifteen of the historic everyone. Because virtually every schools, attributes the good results school in the San Antonio district in part to the willingness of city build- underwent improvements, parents, ing code officials to use the Uniform

Boise High School had played such an important role in the city that citizens mounted a campaign urging the school district to retain “Old Main,” the pedimented structure above. Today it houses humanities classes, including drama performances in its renovated auditorium (left). a half blocks; and our high school, and replaced with a new school on about its possible closing sparked five blocks.” The Cleggs wanted their the so-called Les Bois site in south- vigorous debate. Alumni and non- children to be able to readily partici- east Boise, nearly five miles away. alumni living in Boise held strong pate in all the activities that might Built in 1912 to house no more than attachments to the school. One rea- interest them. At the same time, 1,200 students, Boise High now was son for that was the school’s elegant they hoped to avoid having to chauf- splitting at the seams with an enroll- auditorium, which had served for feur their kids everywhere—or having ment of 1,800. Moreover, the decades as the venue for musical to buy another car or two when the school’s electrical wiring needed events, including community concerts children reached their mid teens. overhaul. Cracks in the auditorium underwritten by the Columbia ceiling, inadequate fire exits, and Broadcasting System. These had Proposed Closing numerous other deficiencies attracted world-class artists like prompted the Boise School District Marian Anderson and Jascha Heifetz By the early 1990s, one of the to rethink the school’s future. and helped make the school itself a schools serving the North End—Boise city cultural center. Boise High was Boise High had played such an High School—faced being shut down the city’s oldest, most diverse high important role in the city that talk

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school and ball fields. Parking was a hassle. And the old building had numerous physical deficiencies.

A Citizen Campaign Many parents of Boise High students wanted the school kept, and they mounted a campaign urging the school district to conduct a more affordable renovation and to build a new, smaller school on the Les Bois site to accommodate the swelling enrollment. Together with the North End Neighborhood Association (NENA) and other community lead- ers, they researched and presented the school district with alternatives to Boise High’s abandonment. NENA members in particular feared that losing such an important anchor would hurt property values and diminish the area’s sense of community.

The addition at Boise High School alleviated overcrowding at the school while respecting its architectural character. “Old Main’s” Ionic columns were repeated in the new building (above), but with a contemporary flair. The plaza at right unifies the old and new buildings. school, and its reputation for aca- stronger. Moreover, many people demic excellence had helped keep thought that investing to renovate the historic North End neighborhood such an old school was akin to stable and economically healthy. “pouring money down a rat-hole,” as With its Ionic columns and graceful one school board member put it. design, the building lent beauty and Wouldn’t it be great, the thinking dignity to the city. “People like the went, to have a completely new way it looks,” says Charles Hummel, school on a large site with abundant a prominent civic leader. “Boise High land for parking and ball fields? The has always had a special place in the entire faculty and student body could hearts of Boisians.” be kept together. A bigger school A local architect’s plan to remodel would support more course offerings and expand Boise High might have and enhance prospects for winning overcome the school’s physical prob- more athletic contests through a lems and alleviated overcrowding, but larger pool of athletes. By contrast, it also would have exceeded the the Boise High site was limited to school district’s budget. So the con- eleven and one-half acres, which stituency for a larger school on the meant that students playing certain thirty-four-acre Les Bois site grew sports had to shuttle between the

While acknowledging that Boise renovate Boise High and build a the city adopted the Uniform Code High’s small campus precluded the scaled-back high school on the Les for Building Conservation to make construction of parking lots and ball Bois site. the renovation process easier and fields, NENA touted the benefits of less expensive. having two smaller schools. Perhaps The Renovation Today the new addition houses sci- the schools wouldn’t win as many ence, computer, and math class- athletic championships, but more Hummel Architects, a local firm rooms, a media center, a cafeteria, students would have the opportunity whose founders had designed the and an auxiliary gymnasium. Old to participate in sports, music, state capitol as well as Boise High, Main accommodates all the humani- drama, and other activities. Smaller won the design contract and began ties classes, including art, drama, student bodies would permit greater work in 1996. Because the original language, and history. interaction among teachers, princi- Boise High structure, known as Old pals, and students. Although the Main, was still occupied, Hummel The new addition cost $6.2 million, need to shuttle athletes from Boise started by constructing a new addi- or $76 per square foot; the Old Main High to ball fields located off-campus tion next door to alleviate the over- renovation, completed in 2000, cost was admittedly inconvenient, the crowding. To minimize noise and dis- $5.7 million, or $38 per square foot. inconvenience paled in comparison ruption during work on the addition, Expenses for the new addition came to the cost, trouble, and extra traffic the architects specified noise barriers in $2 million under budget. The involved in busing (or driving) virtually separating the construction site from savings was used to renovate Old all the students every day to and Old Main. By 1998, Boise High had Main’s auditorium. Besides bringing from a new, remote school. a new, 81,050-square-foot structure this space up to modern standards designed to harmonize with the origi- for life-safety, handicapped access, In the end, NENA’s recommendations nal building’s classic architecture, and comfort, the architects created won out, and in 1995, the school such as its Ionic columns, which new lighting and sound systems for district approved $13.5 million to were repeated in the new building backstage and converted a third bal- with a contemporary flair. cony into a modern control room, which also helped meet exiting Next came the Old Main renovation. requirements. Here, improvements to accessibility and fire safety were paramount. To meet requirements imposed by the Parking and Transportation Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), To address parking and transportation the architects added an elevator and challenges posed by Boise High’s ramp, and they removed one bath- tight site, the school district asked room stall in order to enlarge another. community members and students to To improve fire safety in the main offer solutions. Among suggestions building, the architects’ design added that were implemented: sprinklers, smoke detectors, a base- • adding more bike racks to ment exit, and a new stairway, encourage students to bike to according to Eddie Daniels, project school; manager at Hummel Architects. They also reconfigured building wings to • offering free passes for stu- eliminate dead-end corridors and dents on city buses, paid for by converted third-floor and basement the school district; classrooms into storage areas— • creating a special parking dis- spaces that can be reclaimed for trict to provide a balance classroom space in the future by between student and resident erecting a stair tower. Air-conditioning needs. was installed to improve comfort. With Boise High’s renovation in mind,

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A city ordinance creating the parking the value of cooperation between city their field trips. Students can get to district was necessary because the agencies and the school district. their internships with downtown busi- school district needed to claim part nesses simply by walking a few In the meantime, a new school— of a public right-of-way for a special blocks. Many students take advan- Timberline High—was completed on purpose. The parking district yielded tage of the YMCA just across the the Les Bois site. Students were 425 on-street parking spaces for stu- street. The school board’s willingness allowed to choose between the two dents. Each semester, sophomores, to hold public hearings and encour- schools. Boise High’s now-reduced juniors, and seniors compete for the age research into solutions to chal- enrollment of 1,150 students fits spaces by lottery, which is weighted lenging problems contributed signifi- more comfortably in the school, to favor students who carpool. A cantly to the consensus ultimately which still has room to grow. Despite space costs $5 per semester. The reached over Boise High. city enforces the parking program. An the school’s smaller size, it remains additional thirty-five spaces were competitive in extracurricular activi- Ken Anderson, Boise High’s principal, made available through an agree- ties. In 2002, for example, the was originally skeptical that the ment with a nearby church. school won three state champi- school could be made state-of-the- “Because the city and school district onships—in swimming, girls’ basket- art, but now he sees the advantages were able to work together to estab- ball, and debate. of the renovation and the existence lish the new parking system,” said of two smaller schools versus one big Paula Forney, a Boise City Council A Prime Location one: “In the beginning, I wondered member, “the school district no whether we shouldn’t be looking at a longer needed to buy houses to tear There are many advantages to Boise site where the school could have down so they could add parking lots. High’s location on the edge of down- adequate ball fields and parking. But The result is a much healthier neigh- town and the historic North End now I think that what we have is borhood.” This outcome illustrates neighborhood. Through a short stroll, pretty special—a state-of-the-art government classes can reach the educational facility and a smaller courthouse and the statehouse for

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities 1090 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005–4905 888-552–0624 www.edfacilities.org Historic Neighborhood Schools Deliver 21st Century Educations 13 school where you get to know the Creativity and completed in 1912, the 1,600 stu- kids better. I know most of the students who stepped into the renovat- dents’ faces. The building is very Conviction Overcome ed school last fall after two years of user-friendly. Kids appreciate the Challenges exile…were, without question, enter- school. And teachers feel good about ing the newest and best-equipped it, too. It was a great decision to stay Around the Country high school in the district.” here.” Zach Clegg, a recent Boise High The preceding stories illustrate how Accreditation Issues graduate, and Elaine Clegg’s son, is the cities of Spokane, San Antonio, A visit by Massachusetts state edu- pleased with the outcome as well: and Boise overcame major obstacles cation officials to the beautiful “The school is within walking dis- to the preservation and modernization Fairhaven High School in Fairhaven, tance for a lot of students. If you of older, valued neighborhood schools. Massachusetts, caused them to need a haircut, you can get one right A few additional examples of school rethink the state’s policy of not fund- downtown. There are lots of places to renovations, noted below, illustrate ing the renovation of any school have lunch downtown. At Timberline, how school districts, architects, plan- older than fifty years. In this case, you have to drive everywhere. ners, and others have creatively they made an exception and allowed Everyone who stayed at Boise High addressed different barriers, including what townspeople called “The Castle loved it. I’m glad they made that such widespread problems as: on the Hill” to continue serving the choice.” • unfamiliarity with techniques for community as a school. Although the bringing older structures up to school faced loss of accreditation in modern codes; 1992 because of outdated science • funding biases that favor new labs, inadequate sports facilities, and construction over renovation; other deficiencies, a renovation • daunting acreage requirements undertaken by Flansburgh Associates for schools; and of Boston has brought the building • the notion that a new building up to contemporary educational stan- is inherently better than an old dards. The original building, which one. features Italian marble floors, oak doors, stained glass windows, and Seismic Requirements carved ceilings, has been painstak- ingly restored, while a new addition Seismic requirements are among the has more than doubled the available challenging building code issues that educational space. limit the lifespans of older schools. But they can be met. Bassetti Funding Biases Architects did so in the firm’s renovation of Seattle’s historic Franklin High A policy in Ohio of withholding state The reborn Boise High School is an energetic “people place,” as shown in School. This five-story structure, built funds from school renovation projects these views. in 1912 with unreinforced brick that cost more than two-thirds of the masonry, now meets current seismic expense of a new school discouraged The hallway at left was transformed requirements, as does a new four- school districts from updating historic from a dark basement space into a lively student passageway. story addition. The school emerged schools. But in Greenfield, Ohio, resi- unscathed after the Nisqually dents worked with Triad Architects of Students enjoy Old Main’s rich architec- Earthquake in February 2001, which Columbus to have the rule waived to tural legacy in the course of everyday measured 6.8 on the Richter scale. permit renovating the historic Edward student life, whether changing classes or rehearsing a drama production in the In celebrating the school’s reopening Lee McClain High School. This ornate, historic auditorium. in 1990 following its renovation, the school, built in the Georgian Revival principal commented, “Although the style, was created in 1914 by original Beaux Arts style building was Edward McClain, whose modest

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities 1090 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite 700, Washington, D.C. 20005–4905 888-552–0624 www.edfacilities.org 14 Historic Neighborhood Schools Deliver 21st Century Educations family circumstances required him to rule,” once favored new construction pose no increased safety risk, they work in his father’s harness shop as over the renovation of existing are permitted. Brentwood’s historic a young man. There he invented a schools. Controversy surrounding the Moore Elementary School now has detachable horse-collar pad that Pennsylvania rule boiled over in been renovated and continues to eventually made him rich—rich 1994 soon after residents of serve the neighborhood it has enough to finance the school’s con- Brentwood, Pennsylvania, learned it anchored since 1923. struction and outfit it with works of would mean losing two beloved ele- art. The school, with its renovation mentary schools. In protest, the Acreage Requirements completed in 2001, still enjoys deco- Concerned Citizens of Brentwood rative tiles at the drinking fountains, Borough worked with Preservation Though well-intentioned, acreage a courtyard flanked by pillars and Pennsylvania, Inc., to persuade the requirements often force school dis- fountains, marble sculptures, and an state department of education to tricts into two bad choices: either art gallery of 165 masterpieces. change the rules. In 1998, the state destroy the neighborhood they are not only rescinded the 60 percent trying to educate or build “sprawl In a move toward better stewardship rule but also modified its policy schools” on remote sites to which of existing schools, Pennsylvania against funding the renovation of any few children can walk. Such require- eliminated its “sixty-percent rule,” school built with wood-frame con- ments threatened the historic Logan which, as with Ohio’s “two-thirds struction. So long as such schools Elementary School in Columbia,

Although renovating this 1930 Georgian Revival school could have saved the state and school district several million dollars, demolition of the Kirk Middle School in East Cleveland, Ohio, began in January 2002. Erected on land donated by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and modeled after Independence Hall, the school was considered by many to be one of the city's finest and most important civic buildings.

the school, and black (mostly an excuse to demolish a valued Haitian) residents, who favored a school when in fact these require- Policy Safeguards modern replacement. A multi-racial ments frequently can be met at a group called One United Band helped reasonable cost. Too often, smaller, Renovation Potential resolve people’s differences and con- community-centered schools that In July 1996, the Boise School vinced the school board to save the have held neighborhoods together District adopted a policy gov- building. In 1997, R. J. Heisenbottle for decades are destroyed without erning the closing of existing Architects of Coral Gables restored competent evaluations of their schools. Among other things, the original building, including its Art potential for continued use through the policy states that before Deco auditorium, and added a new modernization. But the Lewis and closing a school, the school addition to meet current needs. (The Clark High School in Spokane, the board must consider a school’s project earned an award in 1997 Boise High School in Boise, and the potential for renovation, the from the National Trust for Historic many historic neighborhood schools potential environmental Preservation.) After helping to in San Antonio and other cities pro- impacts of school closings, and upgrade the school facility, One vide eloquent rebuttals to the notion the impact of student and staff United Band then created the Edison that older schools cannot be adapt- displacement, including trans- Linkage Foundation, which now sup- ed to meet modern educational portation costs entailed with ports a tutoring program enabling requirements. academically skilled high school the new facilities and staff Lakis Polycarpou, a young graduate students to serve as role models reassignments. of Columbine High School in and paid tutors to middle school Colorado, strikes home when he students. writes: Magnets for Of course we will always need South Carolina, in the mid-1990s Sprawl or Anchors some new schools. But we because the school, which occupies have a choice in how we build only four acres, could not meet the For Civic Life? them. Will they carry a sense state’s edict requiring seven acres for of permanence, dignity, elementary schools. But after the Not every valued or historic school respect for education and the school district obtained a waiver from can or should be renovated. But too public life? Or will they be the acreage requirements, the many schools are casually con- interchangeable and dispos- Boudreaux Group, a local architectur- demned by biases that favor new able? Will they be built as the al firm, completed a $7.9 million construction, by school facility center of a community—an renovation in 1999. The project has assessments that reflect little exper- anchor for civic life—or will not only solved space, technology, tise in the rehabilitation of older they be put on the outskirts of and building code issues, but has buildings, and by ignorance of basic town as magnets for sprawl? also improved neighborhood property techniques for helping older buildings values, once on the decline, and The choice is not merely meet modern codes and program encouraged reinvestment in the area. between the old and the requirements. In early 2002, the his- new—it is between the digni- toric Kirk Middle School in East fied and the undistinguished— Differences Overcome Cleveland, Ohio, became a casualty the enduring and the dispos- for these very reasons. One of the The conversion of racial discord into able. It is a choice between city’s most distinguished landmarks, racial harmony helped save Miami’s thoughtless replication of the school was demolished and cart- valued Edison Middle School, which sprawl and the conscious ed off to the landfill without so much was slated for demolition in 1992. A decision to invest in civic life. as a serious evaluation of the decision by the Dade County School school’s potential for renovation. Board to tear down this 1928 landmark sparked a conflict between Too often, ADA, fire safety, and other white residents, who wanted to save important requirements are used as

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Resources About the Author Photo Credits The National Trust for Historic Constance Beaumont is director for Lewis and Clark High School: Photos Preservation is a nonprofit organiza- state and local policy at the National courtesy Northwest Architectural tion chartered in 1949 by Congress. Trust for Historic Preservation and Company, P.S., Shawn Toner, exterior With more than 200,000 members, author of Why Johnny Can’t Walk to views, Joe Manfredini, interior views. the Trust works with preservation School: Historic Neighborhood Jefferson High School: Photos advocates around the country to pro- Schools in the Age of Sprawl. courtesy Ford, Powell & Carson, Inc., tect America’s cultural heritage. In Architects & Planners, Robert Rios, response to pleas for help from citi- Acknowledgements photographer. zens all over the country, the Trust launched a major Historic Neighbor- The National Trust for Historic Boise High School: Photos courtesy hood Schools Initiative in 2000. Preservation acknowledges generous Hummel Architects, P.A., Deborah Through this initiative, the Trust has grants from the National Endowment Hardee Photography. produced several resources to help for the Arts and the 21st Century Kirk Middle School: Photo by Kevin communities reclaim and upgrade School Fund, leader of the Ford G. Reeves. endangered historic schools to meet Foundation-funded BEST Collabora- state-of-the-art standards and tive < http://www.21csf.org > which twenty-first century educational helped make possible the research Availability needs. Such resources include: for this publication. The author also NCEF publications are available gratefully acknowledges assistance • A Community Guide to Saving online for viewing free of charge provided by Jim Gardner, Sydney Older Schools, by Kerri and may also be ordered at Becker, and Emma Panahy. Rubman. National Trust for http://www.edfacilities.org/pubs/ Historic Preservation, 2000. or by calling 888-552-0624 http://www.preservationbooks.org/showBook.asp?key=172 Additional Information (toll-free) or 202-289-7800. • Why Johnny Can’t Walk to See the NCEF resource lists Build School: Historic Neighborhood New or Renovate?, Condition of Schools in the Age of Sprawl, America’s Schools, Preserving by Constance E. Beaumont with Historic Neighborhood Schools, and Elizabeth G. Pianca. National Renovation online at Trust for Historic Preservation, http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/ 2000. http://www.nationaltrust.org/issues/historic_schools.html Reviewers • Historic Neighborhood Schools: Success Stories. National Trust Barbara Diamond, Marc Fetterman, for Historic Preservation, 2002. Mary Filardo, Jack Lyons, Janell http://www.nationaltrust.org/issues/schools/studies.html Weihs, and William Brenner. • Saving Ohio’s Historic Neighborhood Schools: A Sponsorship and Copyright Primer for School Preservation Advocates. Published by the National http://www.heritageohio.org/advocacy/0725_HistoricSchools.htm Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF), an affiliate clearinghouse of the Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC) of the U.S. Department of Education. ©2003 by the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities. All rights reserved. James B. Gardner, Editor and Publisher.

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