New or Existing?
Since the decision was made by the School Board and administration to pursue a bond referendum to reimagine B.R. Miller Middle School, many people have asked why MCSD doesn’t build a new school rather than investing in a building that dates to 1925.
We understand the allure of a new school to replace Miller is tempting and that option was seriously considered by the community task force as an alternative to reinventing the middle school on the current site. However, after a thorough review of the advantages and disadvantages, the plan to reimagine Miller provided several key benefits.
-
A large percentage of the students who attend Miller Middle School are living within proximity to the campus in the heart of the community. A new school would be located on the southern edge of the city where land is available, but few students reside. This would increase transportation costs on an annual basis and diminish funding for learning.
-
It might be difficult to imagine from the outside, but the “bones” at Miller remain in quality condition and the interior components are mostly adaptable to be reimagined into something new.
-
Miller currently has a set of resources not available to most middle schools. This includes additional gymnasium space and a historic community auditorium. These are amenities that would be expensive to replace in a new building.
-
Our community has invested heavily in Miller over the past century. There are portions of the building, such as the athletics space and most recent academic addition, that are functioning well and have meaningful life left serving students.
There are times when a building should be abandoned and MCSD leaders are mindful of using the community’s resources in a wise manner. Reimagining Miller is most sustainable and least-expensive option and we are confident that when the transformation of this historic school is complete, it will continue to proudly serve the community in new and exciting ways for many future generations.
