The Calkins Building, constructed in 1909 and added on to several times throughout its history, served as the Montezuma County High School, Junior High, and district administrative offices for many years.
Around the turn of the millennium, a plan was developed to renovate the building for use as the administrative offices for the district. A partnership with the State Historical Fund was developed, and grant moneys received to begin this process.
This partnership made the Calkins Building a protected historic structure, and as such the integrity of the building must be preserved or the district may be required to repay approximately $600,000.00 in previous grant awards.
“Needless to say, this outcome would be unacceptable,” said Re-1 superintendent Alex Carter.
As the recession of 2007 hit, money for this project ran out, and the project was mothballed. No work has been done on the Calkins building since 2009. Estimates that the school district has been given to complete the building renovation range from $3 million to $5 million. The district has recently been approached by public and private groups who have interest in developing the building for non-school uses.
Re-1 officials say that district funding is not an option because of needs of campus buildings with students.
The sitting board is committed to the Montezuma-Cortez School District RE-1’s mission of “Kids First!” Carter said.
“The first priority for any future capital construction improvements will be focused on buildings that are used as learning environments.”
Still, the Calkins building is important to the community, and “the school district values your input as we contemplate the future of the Calkins Building,” Carter said.